Ballad vs. Lyric — What's the Difference?

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French chanson balladée or ballade, which were originally "dance songs".

(of poetry) expressing the writer's emotions, usually briefly and in stanzas or recognized forms

A narrative poem, often of folk origin and intended to be sung, consisting of simple stanzas and usually having a refrain.

(of a singing voice) using a light register

The music for such a poem.

A lyric poem or verse

A popular song especially of a romantic or sentimental nature.

The words of a popular song

A kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.

Of or relating to a category of poetry that expresses subjective thoughts and feelings, often in a songlike style or form.

A slow romantic song.

Relating to or constituting a poem in this category, such as a sonnet or ode.

(obsolete) To make mention of in ballads.

Of or relating to a writer of poems in this category.

(intransitive) To compose or sing ballads.

Lyrical.

A popular kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; as, the ballad of Chevy Chase; esp., a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.

Having a singing voice of light volume and modest range.

To make or sing ballads.

Of, relating to, or being musical drama, especially opera

To make mention of in ballads.

Having a pleasing succession of sounds; melodious.

A narrative song with a recurrent refrain

Of or relating to the lyre or harp.

A narrative poem of popular origin

Appropriate for accompaniment by the lyre.

A lyric poem.

Often lyrics(Music) The words of a song.

(poetry) Of, or relating to a type of poetry (such as a sonnet or ode) that expresses subjective thoughts and feelings, often in a songlike style

Of or relating to a writer of such poetry

Lyrical

Having a light singing voice of modest range

Of or relating to musical drama and opera

Melodious

Of or relating to the lyre (or sometimes the harp)

A lyric poem.

The words of a song or other vocal music.

Of or pertaining to a lyre or harp.

Fitted to be sung to the lyre;

Expressing deep personal emotion; - said especially of poetry which expresses the individual emotions of the poet; as, the dancer's lyrical performance.

A lyric poem; a lyrical composition.

A composer of lyric poems.

A verse of the kind usually employed in lyric poetry; - used chiefly in the plural.

The words of a song.

The text of a popular song or musical-comedy number;

A short poem of songlike quality

Write lyrics for (a song)

Expressing deep personal emotion;

Used of a singer or singing voice that is light in volume and modest in range;

Relating to or being musical drama;

Of or relating to a category of poetry that expresses emotion (often in a songlike way);