ditty

noun

ˈdi-tē How to pronounce ditty (audio)
Definition of dittynext
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment sung a little ditty in a minor key

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ditty The vocal tracks are broken up by instrumental ditties whose cutesiness is almost creepier. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2026 The songs, by Randy Newman, are simple but charming little ditties, particularly the ensemble numbers where this makeshift band of misfits express their devotion to one another. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026 To announce the enrollment period, Mamdani released a short-form video on social media with Cardi B launching a 2-K jingle competition, where people can write an original 15 to 30-second ditty urging parents to apply. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026 Later, orange lanterns carrying well-wishes floated toward the stars, mingling with the distant strains of Lao ditties from the karaoke machines of the ramshackle bars that lined the banks. — Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ditty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ditty
  1. ballad
  2. song
  3. lyric
  4. jingle
  5. hymn
  6. anthem
Noun
  • Taylor doffed his signature pageboy cap for a humble bow following the soothing ballad.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The first co-write between Henley and Frey was a bona fide cowboy ballad if cowboys kept grand pianos around campfires.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ballad
Noun
  • Back in 2015, Parton and her team buried a chestnut box filled with physical copies of a brand new song in two formats, cassette and CD, along with their corresponding players, under her Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The song, famously written by Parton as an emotional farewell to her mentor Porter Wagoner and his show, topped the country chart in 1974.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of song
Noun
  • Writers were impressed by her ability to infuse emotion into lyrics.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Her lyrics were representative of America throughout different decades, including the changing experiences of women who demanded equality.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of lyric
Noun
  • Decked out in regalia featuring feathers, jingles, beads and colorful fabrics, these dancers from across Californian and North American tribal communities did prayer ceremonies in the Shingle Springs Rancheria’s open-air dance circle.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Our heroine, Allie (Monica Barbaro), is a singer who records commercial jingles for products that treat acne and vaginal dryness (presumably less of a problem, given the current non-state of affairs).
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of jingle
Noun
  • The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Avie Lee filled the family's two-room home with music by singing hymns, folk songs and traditional mountain music.
    — Devarrick Turner, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of hymn
Noun
  • Dolly Parton, the brilliant songwriter and beloved country singer who has died at age 80, wrote one of the great anthems of the American working class.
    — John Nichols, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The song has endured beyond its controversy as something of an empowerment anthem.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of anthem

Browse Nearby Words

dittos
ditty
ditty bag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ditty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ditty. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All