melismatic
adjective·/ˌmɛl.ɪˈzmæ.tɪk/
Of singing: moving through several notes on a single syllable, so that the voice ornaments the word with a ribbon of melody. Where lyrical concerns words, melismatic concerns how the voice lingers beyond them.
On the final “amen,” her melismatic line climbed and turned, making one syllable last long enough to feel like forgiveness.
Etymology
From Greek melisma “song; melody,” from melos “song.” The term entered English through music theory to describe a practice ancient in chant and enduring in many vocal traditions: meaning stretched into music.
Related Words
syllabicone note per syllable; the contrasting style
coloratureornamental vocal flourishes; a neighboring concept
chanta tradition rich in melisma
vibratoa different vocal ornament, often co-occurring