noun
Common
anthem
an-thuhm-AN-thuhm
Anthem (noun) means a formal, often patriotic or ceremonial song that represents a nation, group, or cause. Example: “The crowd stood as the national anthem played before the match.”
noun
1
A formal, often patriotic or ceremonial song that represents a nation, group, or cause.
"The crowd stood as the national anthem played before the match."
"The band's biggest hit became an anthem for a whole generation of fans."
"Fans sang the club's anthem loudly as the team walked onto the pitch."
2
A solemn religious choral piece, often sung during a church service.
"The choir performed an anthem written specially for the cathedral's anniversary."
"The choir sang a quiet anthem after the second reading at evensong."
"Everyone listened as the organ introduced the anthem during the Sunday service."
How to use anthem
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rousing song that represents a country, team, or movement — or a solemn church song.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
national anthem
sing the anthem
become an anthem
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Word forms
- Plural
- anthems
- Third person singular
- anthems
- Past tense
- anthemed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The crowd stood as the national _____ played before the match.
Etymology
Traces back through Old English and Old French to Latin antiphona, from Greek antiphōna, "sounds in response" — originally music sung back and forth between two choir groups.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “anthem” mean?
The word “anthem” means a formal, often patriotic or ceremonial song that represents a nation, group, or cause. In plain terms, a rousing song that represents a country, team, or movement — or a solemn church song.
How do you pronounce “anthem”?
“Anthem” is pronounced an-thuhm-AN-thuhm (/ˈæn.θəm/ [ˈæn̪.θəm] in IPA).
How do you use “anthem” in a sentence?
Here is “anthem” used in a sentence: “The crowd stood as the national anthem played before the match.”
What part of speech is “anthem”?
“Anthem” is a noun.
Where does the word “anthem” come from?
The word “anthem” comes from Latin. Traces back through Old English and Old French to Latin antiphona, from Greek antiphōna, "sounds in response" — originally music sung back and forth between two choir groups.
Is “anthem” a common word?
“Anthem” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “anthem” have?
“Anthem” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal, often patriotic or ceremonial song that represents a nation, group, or cause.
What is the difference between an anthem and a hymn?
A hymn is a song of religious praise, usually addressed to God. An anthem may be a patriotic or ceremonial song representing a nation, group, or cause, or a solemn choral piece sung during a church service.
What is the difference between a national anthem and an anthem?
A national anthem is a country's official ceremonial song. "Anthem" is broader and can represent any nation, group, or cause, not just a country.
Are all anthems patriotic?
No. Besides patriotic or ceremonial songs, an anthem can also be a solemn religious choral piece sung during a church service.
In a church service, what is the difference between an anthem and a hymn?
An anthem is typically a choral piece performed by the choir, while a hymn is usually sung by the whole congregation. Both are religious, but they differ in who sings them.
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