blues

noun

ˈblüz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: low spirits : melancholy

suffering a case of the blues

: a song often of lamentation characterized by usually 12-bar phrases, 3-line stanzas in which the words of the second line usually repeat those of the first, and continual occurrence of blue notes in melody and harmony

: jazz or popular music using harmonic and phrase structures of blues

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The item had, improbably, once belonged to Mississippi John Hurt, one of the great blues guitarists and singers of the 20th century.

David Brown, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2022 As one of the oldest continuously running Youth Theater programs in the nation, this 74th season includes a holiday favorite to chase away winter blues.

Shirley Macfarland, cleveland, 25 Nov. 2022 The color palette changes as well, to baby pinks and sunny yellows, floral prints and gentle blues.

Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 25 Nov. 2022 For a patriotic cheese aficionado, what could be better than a sampler of the creamery's beloved blues?

Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 24 Nov. 2022 The new name was taken from a 1962 jump blues hit by Piano Red.

Terence Mcardle, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2022 Wilko Johnson, the longtime guitarist for British blues rockers Dr. Feelgood has died at 75.

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Nov. 2022 Some people feel down when the days get shorter in the fall and winter, also called the winter blues, and start to feel better in the spring when there are longer daylight hours.

Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 22 Nov. 2022 For paint colors, the pros are loving dusty greens and blues, as well as soft hues like terracotta and natural browns.

Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 22 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blues.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

blue devils

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of blues was in 1741

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Blues.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blues. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

blues

noun plural

ˈblüz

: low spirits : melancholy

: a song often expressing sadness and characterized by the continual occurrence of the flatted third, fifth, and seventh tones of a scale in both the melody and harmony