noun
Common
chapel
CHAP-uhl
Chapel (noun) means a small place of worship, often attached to or part of a larger building such as a school, hospital, or castle. Example: “The hospital chapel is a quiet place where families can sit and reflect.”
noun
1
A small place of worship, often attached to or part of a larger building such as a school, hospital, or castle.
"The hospital chapel is a quiet place where families can sit and reflect."
"The couple got married in a tiny chapel by the sea."
"Students gathered in the school chapel for morning assembly."
2
A room used for funeral services in a funeral home.
"Friends gathered in the chapel to say goodbye before the burial."
"The funeral director led the mourners into the quiet chapel and dimmed the lights."
"The family held a short service in the funeral home's chapel."
How to use chapel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small church or place of worship, often part of a bigger institution.
Common pairings
wedding chapel
school chapel
private chapel
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Word forms
- Plural
- chapels
- Third person singular
- chapels
- Past tense
- chapeled, chapelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hospital _____ is a quiet place where families can sit and reflect.
Etymology
From Old French chapele, from Late Latin cappella ("little cloak"), originally referring to the shrine that housed St Martin's cloak.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for chapel
See all rhymes for chapel →Frequently asked questions
What does “chapel” mean?
The word “chapel” means a small place of worship, often attached to or part of a larger building such as a school, hospital, or castle. In plain terms, a small church or place of worship, often part of a bigger institution.
How do you pronounce “chapel”?
“Chapel” is pronounced CHAP-uhl (/ˈt͡ʃæp.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “chapel” in a sentence?
Here is “chapel” used in a sentence: “The couple got married in a tiny chapel by the sea.”
What part of speech is “chapel”?
“Chapel” is a noun.
Where does the word “chapel” come from?
The word “chapel” comes from Late Latin. From Old French chapele, from Late Latin cappella ("little cloak"), originally referring to the shrine that housed St Martin's cloak.
Is “chapel” a common word?
“Chapel” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chapel” have?
“Chapel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small place of worship, often attached to or part of a larger building such as a school, hospital, or castle.
What is the difference between a chapel and a church?
A church is usually an independent building where a congregation regularly worships, while a chapel is a smaller place of worship, often attached to or contained within a larger building such as a school, hospital, or castle. Chapels also exist inside large churches and cathedrals as distinct areas with their own altars.
What is a chapel of rest?
A chapel of rest is a room at a funeral home where a deceased person lies before the funeral, so that family and friends can visit and pay their respects privately. Despite the name, it is not necessarily religious. The term is used mainly in British English.
What is the difference between a chapel and a cathedral?
Size and function distinguish them. A cathedral is the principal church of a diocese and contains the bishop's official seat, making it typically the largest and most important church in its area, while a chapel is a small place of worship that often forms part of another building. A cathedral may itself contain several chapels.
Can you get married in a chapel?
Yes — chapels are popular wedding venues, and the phrase "wedding chapel" refers to a venue dedicated to marriage ceremonies. Whether a legally binding wedding can take place in a particular chapel depends on local law and whether the building is registered or licensed for marriages, so couples normally confirm this with the venue first.
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