noun
Uncommon
gloria
GLAWR-ih-uh
Gloria (noun) means a hymn of praise, especially one beginning "Glory to God," sung during a church service. Example: “The choir sang the Gloria during the Christmas Eve mass.”
noun
1
A hymn of praise, especially one beginning "Glory to God," sung during a church service.
"The choir sang the Gloria during the Christmas Eve mass."
"After the Gloria, the congregation sat down for the first reading."
"The children practised the Gloria for weeks before the carol service."
name
1
A female given name, popular in the early-to-mid 20th century.
"Her grandmother was named Gloria."
How to use gloria
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hymn of praise sung in church, or a woman's first name, both from the Latin word for "glory."
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Word forms
- Plural
- glorias
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The choir sang the _____ during the Christmas Eve mass.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin gloria, meaning "glory" — the same root as the English word "glory."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for gloria
See all rhymes for gloria →Frequently asked questions
What does “gloria” mean?
The word “gloria” means a hymn of praise, especially one beginning "Glory to God," sung during a church service. In plain terms, a hymn of praise sung in church, or a woman's first name, both from the Latin word for "glory.".
How do you pronounce “gloria”?
“Gloria” is pronounced GLAWR-ih-uh (/ˈɡlɔɹ.i.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “gloria” in a sentence?
Here is “gloria” used in a sentence: “The choir sang the Gloria during the Christmas Eve mass.”
What part of speech is “gloria”?
Depending on how it is used, “gloria” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “gloria” come from?
The word “gloria” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin gloria, meaning "glory" — the same root as the English word "glory.".
Is “gloria” a common word?
“Gloria” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gloria” have?
“Gloria” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hymn of praise, especially one beginning "Glory to God," sung during a church service.
What is the difference between 'Gloria' the hymn and 'Gloria' the name?
As a hymn, Gloria refers to a hymn of praise beginning "Glory to God," sung during a church service, most notably the Gloria in Excelsis Deo used in Christian liturgy. As a given name, Gloria is a female first name that was especially popular in the early-to-mid 20th century, and the two uses are unrelated in a sentence despite sharing the same word.
Is 'Gloria' capitalized when used as a hymn or as a name?
As a personal name, Gloria is always capitalized. As the title of the liturgical hymn, it is also typically capitalized since it functions as the proper title of a specific prayer or musical setting.
When is the Gloria sung during a church service?
The Gloria is a hymn of praise that begins "Glory to God" and is traditionally sung or recited during the service, often near the opening portion of the liturgy in many Christian traditions. It is a fixed text set to music by many composers over the centuries.
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