choir
/'kwaiə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A group of people who sing together, typically in a church or other religious setting: A choir is an organized ensemble of singers, often performing sacred music.
- The part of a church where such a group sits: The choir is the area of a church, often in the chancel, reserved for the singers.
- A group of similar musical instruments played together: In a broader sense, a choir can refer to a section of similar instruments in an orchestra (e.g., a brass choir).
Verb:
- To sing in a choir: The act of singing as part of a choral group.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- She sings in the church choir every Sunday.
- The choir stood in the historic wooden stalls.
- The piece features a beautiful dialogue between the string choir and the woodwinds.
Verb:
- He has choired at the cathedral for over twenty years.
Advanced Usage
- "To preach to the choir": To try to persuade people who already agree with you. This idiom uses "choir" metaphorically.
- Arguing for environmental protection here is just preaching to the choir.
Variants and Related Words
- Choral (adj): Relating to or sung by a choir.
- They performed a choral masterpiece.
- Chorister (n): A member of a choir, especially a boy singer.
- The young chorister had a clear, high voice.
Synonyms
- Chorus: A large group of singers or a refrain in a song. (Note: A "chorus" can be secular and is often part of a larger work like an opera or musical, while a "choir" is often a standalone group, typically associated with sacred music.)
- Ensemble: A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
Phrasal Verbs
(Not commonly applicable for this word.)
Related Idioms
- "Preach to the choir": As defined in Advanced Usage.
Noun
- the area occupied by singers; the part of the chancel between sanctuary and nave
- a family of similar musical instrument playing together
- a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
Verb
- sing in a choir