noun / verb
serenade
ser-uh-NAYD/ˌserəˈneɪd/
Music composed or performed for someone, traditionally in the evening.
He sings a gentle serenade beneath her window each evening.
Etymology
Italian serenata, “evening song,” was tied to sereno, “open air” or “clear, calm.” A serenade originally honored someone with outdoor nighttime music, especially a lover’s performance beneath a window.
In context
a secret serenade is about to unfold
More examples
- The musicians serenade the newlyweds during dinner.
- She writes a serenade for her husband's birthday.
- We were serenaded by our friends after the ceremony.
Forms
serenade · serenades · serenaded · serenading
serenader noun — Someone who performs music for another person.