chorus

1 of 2

noun

cho·​rus ˈkȯr-əs 

1

a

: a company of singers and dancers in Athenian drama participating in or commenting on the action

also : a similar company in later plays

b

: a character in Elizabethan drama who speaks the prologue (see prologue sense 2) and epilogue (see epilogue sense 2) and comments on the action

c

: an organized company of singers who sing in concert : choir

especially : a body of singers who sing the choral parts of a work (as in opera)

d

: a group of dancers and singers supporting the featured players in a musical comedy or revue

2

a

: a part of a song or hymn recurring at intervals

b

: the part of a drama sung or spoken by the chorus

c

: a composition to be sung by a number of voices in concert

d

: the main part of a popular song

also : a jazz variation on a melodic theme

3

a

: something performed, sung, or uttered simultaneously or unanimously by a number of persons or animals

a chorus of boos

that eternal chorus of: "Are we there yet?" from the back seat

—Sheila More

b

: sounds so uttered

visitors are taken to the woods by car to hear the mournful choruses of howling wolves

—Bob Gaines

chorus

2 of 2

verb

chorused; chorusing; choruses

transitive verb

: to sing or utter in chorus

"They're here, they're here!" chorused the crowd.

Phrases

in chorus

: in unison

answering in chorus

Synonyms

Noun

• choir
• chorale
• consort
• glee club

Examples of chorus in a Sentence

Noun

We awoke to a chorus of birdsong.

The President's policies have been questioned by a growing chorus of critics.

Verb

The class chorused “Good morning!”.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s that earworm refrain, followed by formidably declarative verses, a powder keg of a chorus and a high-concept bridge. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024

Could anyone utter these lofty words today without courting a chorus of snickers, a social-media immolation? —George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

These insects will mate and chorus for at least six weeks before the 17-year cycle starts again. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2024

Read More: The 2024 Cicada Emergence Is Coming, Here’s Everything to Know The Broods Could Sound like Sirens Male cicadas will chorus to their hearts’ content in the spring and summer of 2024. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Latin, ring dance, chorus, from Greek choros

First Known Use

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1826, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chorus

• chorus boy
• chorus girl
• dawn chorus

Kids Definition

chorus

1 of 2 noun

cho·​rus ˈkōr-əs 

ˈkȯr-

1

a

: a group of singers and dancers in Greek drama who take part in or comment on the action

b

: an organized group of singers : choir

c

: a group of dancers and singers (as in a musical comedy)

2

a

: a part of a song or hymn that is repeated every so often : refrain

b

: a song to be sung by a chorus

3

: something uttered by a number of persons or animals all at the same time

a chorus of boos

chorus

2 of 2 verb

: to sing or utter in chorus