choir
kweye-uh
Choir (noun) means a group of singers who perform together, often in a church or school. Example: “My daughter sings alto in the local community choir on Tuesdays.”
noun
1
A group of singers who perform together, often in a church or school.
"My daughter sings alto in the local community choir on Tuesdays."
"The school choir performed carols at the winter concert."
"She joined the church choir to sing every Sunday."
2
The part of a church, near the altar, where the singers traditionally sit.
"The priest walked past the choir and stopped before the altar."
"Visitors admired the stained glass above the choir at the east end."
"The choir stalls at the front of the cathedral were carved from dark oak."
How to use choir
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group of people singing together, or the church area where they perform.
Common pairings
church choir
choir practice
sing in a choir
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Word forms
- Plural
- choirs
- Third person singular
- choirs
- Past tense
- choired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My daughter sings alto in the local community _____ on Tuesdays.
Etymology
From Old French quer/cuer, from Latin chorus, from Greek khoros ("a group of dancers or singers") — a doublet of "chorus" and "quire."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for choir
See all rhymes for choir →Frequently asked questions
What does “choir” mean?
The word “choir” means a group of singers who perform together, often in a church or school. In plain terms, a group of people singing together, or the church area where they perform.
How do you pronounce “choir”?
“Choir” is pronounced kweye-uh (/kwaɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “choir” in a sentence?
Here is “choir” used in a sentence: “The school choir performed carols at the winter concert.”
What part of speech is “choir”?
“Choir” is a noun.
Where does the word “choir” come from?
The word “choir” comes from Latin. From Old French quer/cuer, from Latin chorus, from Greek khoros ("a group of dancers or singers") — a doublet of "chorus" and "quire.".
Is “choir” a common word?
“Choir” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “choir” have?
“Choir” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of singers who perform together, often in a church or school.
What is the difference between a choir and a chorus?
A choir is a group of singers who perform together, especially in a church or school. A chorus can also mean a group of singers, but it more often refers to performers in an opera or musical, or to the repeated section of a song.
What is the difference between a choir and a chorale?
A choir is any organised group of singers. A chorale is more specific: it usually means a choir devoted to a particular repertoire, or a hymn tune written in simple harmony for such a group.
What is the choir of a church?
Besides meaning a group of singers, choir refers to the part of a church, near the altar, where the singers traditionally sit. This area often contains rows of fixed seats known as choir stalls.
Should you say 'in a choir' or 'on a choir'?
When you belong to the group of singers, the correct phrase is 'in a choir,' as in 'she sings in the school choir.' The preposition 'in' is used because you are a member within the group.
