[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/melody/)

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# melody

noun (melody, melodies)

«melody» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A melody is a tune: a series of musical notes, one after another, that sounds pleasing and is easy to remember. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#m1)
2. The melody is the main tune in a piece of music, often the part that is sung. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#m2)
3. A melody is also any pleasant sound like music, such as birdsong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#m3)

### In the lessons

In music lessons, pupils learn the difference between melody (the tune), rhythm (the beat pattern) and harmony (notes played together); they may compose a simple melody on a glockenspiel or recorder. In stories, a melody drifts through the air to show calm or magic. Common phrases: «a catchy melody», «hum the melody», «play the melody», «a sweet melody».

### Examples

- She hummed a happy melody as she painted. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#x1)
- Can you play the melody of «Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star»? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#x2)
- The song has a catchy melody that sticks in your head. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#x3)
- The violins play the melody while the cellos play the harmony. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#x4)
- The blackbird's melody woke me up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#x5)
- We composed a short melody using only five notes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#x6)
- The melody goes up and then comes down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#x7)
- He had a sweet voice, and every melody seemed to flow naturally from his lips. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/#x8)

### Note

Plural: melodies. Adjectives: «melodic» (to do with melody) and «melodious» (pleasant to hear). Say MEL-o-dee.

## In Jewish tradition

The Psalms call for music with harp and timbrel to praise God. Amos says God does not want songs from people who treat others unjustly.

**Interpretation.** Tradition holds that music in worship matters, but Amos teaches that justice matters more than songs.

### Examples

- Take up the melody, and sound the timbrel, the sweet harp with the psaltery. (Writings PSA.81.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/melody/#x1)
- Sing praises unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp and the voice of melody. (Writings PSA.98.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/melody/#x2)
- Take thou away from Me the noise of thy songs; and let Me not hear the melody of thy psalteries. (Prophets AMO.5.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/melody/#x3)

### Note

Plural: melodies. Adjectives: «melodic» (to do with melody) and «melodious» (pleasant to hear). Say MEL-o-dee.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «melody» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/melody/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«melody» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/melody.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «melody» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/melody/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«melody» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/melody.html) on Mova free.