sérénade

serenade

noun seh-reh-NAD Rare

Origin: Italian serenata, from sereno 'clear (sky)'

Usage Note

Une sérénade originally referred to an evening musical performance outside a lover's window, a tradition popularized in opera and classical music. In modern French it can also refer figuratively to an unwanted noisy fuss (faire une sérénade = to make a scene). Famous musical serenades include those by Mozart, which are sometimes called sérénades in French program notes.

Examples

"Il lui a joué une sérénade sous sa fenêtre."

Natural Translation

He played her a serenade under her window.

Literal Translation

He her played a serenade under her window.

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