Quodlibet

Quodlibet

ˈkwädləˌbet

Noun

  • (Archaic) A topic for or exercise in philosophical or theological discussion.
  • (Literary) A lighthearted medley of well-known tunes.

Get a new word in your inbox every day.

By subscribing you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Example Sentences

“I went to a jazz brunch last weekend that opened with a quodlibet of some of my favorite songs.”

“Classic songwriters Irving Berlin and Gilbert & Sullivan were fond of including quodlibets in their tunes.”

“I could only name two of the songs in the quodlibet, but I know I’ve heard them all before.”

Word Origin

Latin, 15th century

Why this word?

“Quodlibet” is a combination of the Latin words “quod” and “libet,” directly translating to “that which is pleasing.” But the more modern usage of this Latin term is “song mashup.” Think of a cover band playing a medley of the choruses of crowd-pleasing tunes, or a classic Hollywood movie showcasing dancers twirling to a medley of well-known songs. The “Pitch Perfect” movie series brought the tradition into the 21st century with its acapella riff-offs (improvised quodlibets). In the first movie, the Barden Bellas lost to the Treblemakers as the groups sang a quodlibet including “Mickey” by Toni Basil, “Like a Virgin” by Madonna,” “No Diggity” by Blackstreet, and “S&M” by Rihanna.

  • More brands you’ll love

    Elevate Your Everyday

    More brands you’ll love

    Elevate Your Everyday

    Subscribe to Better Report to receive tips and tricks that will save you money, maximize your time, and improve your life.

    Subscribe to Better Report
    By clicking “Subscribe” you’re agreeing to Better Report Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Learn a new word Gochujang

ˈkōCHo͞oˌjäNG