torch song

noun

A song, often sentimental, lamenting an unrequited love; normally sung by a woman.

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Meanings

nountorch song (plural torch songs)

plural torch songs

  1. A song, often sentimental, lamenting an unrequited love; normally sung by a woman.

    “Take Me Away” is a torch song about wanting to fall in love and be taken far from an immoral urban environment.

    2014, Michael Slowik, After the Silents: Hollywood Film Music in the Early Sound Era, 1926-1934, Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page 189

Origin

From to carry a torch for (“to harbor feelings for”).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 苦情歌
  • 苦情歌 (kǔqínggē)song, often sentimental, lamenting an unrequited love
German Schmachtlied, Schmachtsong
  • Schmachtliedsong, often sentimental, lamenting an unrequited love
  • Schmachtsongsong, often sentimental, lamenting an unrequited love
Cite this entry
APA

torch song. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/torch%20song

MLA

“torch song.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/torch%20song. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “torch song,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/torch%20song.

Source: torch song on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.