Melisma
noun /mɪˈlɪzmə/ — Singing many notes on a single syllable.
Definition
A group of notes sung to a single syllable of text — the vocal ornamentation of extending one word across multiple pitches, as in gospel, soul, and Middle Eastern music.
Beyond the definition
Melisma is the voice refusing to contain the emotion of a single word in a single note. One syllable of 'amazing' containing sixteen notes — the excess is the point. Gospel and soul built their emotional vocabulary on melisma because some feelings cannot be expressed in a single pitch.
Origin & history
From Greek melisma (a melody, song), from melos (song, melody). Used to describe the vocal ornamentation in Byzantine chant, Gregorian chant, and later in gospel, R&B, and soul music.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Whitney Houston's melisma on 'I Will Always Love You' became the defining vocal performance of her era.
The cantor's melisma on the word hallelujah lasted a full four seconds.
She used melisma sparingly, making each instance feel genuinely earned.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Melisma” when the meaning fits your context: A group of notes sung to a single syllable of text — the vocal ornamentation of extending one word across multiple pitches, as in gospel, soul, and Middle Eastern music.
Synonyms
runs, vocal ornamentation, coloratura
Antonyms
syllabic singing, speech-rhythm
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Adult Delivering Clever Joke
A close-up of an adult’s face shows a small, subtle smile while delivering a clever, dry, and fast-paced remark.
The delivery of the witty remark is an analogy for melisma. Just as a singer extends one syllable across many notes, the person uses a complex, clever string of thought packed into a single, brief moment of expression, ornamenting the joke with layers of meaning.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Melisma" mean?
Melisma is noun meaning: Singing many notes on a single syllable.. A group of notes sung to a single syllable of text — the vocal ornamentation of extending one word across multiple pitches, as in gospel, soul, and Middle Eastern music.
Where does the word "Melisma" come from?
From Greek melisma (a melody, song), from melos (song, melody). Used to describe the vocal ornamentation in Byzantine chant, Gregorian chant, and later in gospel, R&B, and soul music.