chorus

chorus — noun

1. the section listeners hear again between verses in a song, made to be easy to re

1.nounB1
Definition

the section listeners hear again between verses in a song, made to be easy to remember and sing along to

Example

Everyone in the pub joined in when the chorus of the old folk song began.

collocation: join in the chorus

The children learned the chorus of the pop song after hearing it just twice.

pattern: chorus of [song]

Common collocations
  • sing the chorus
  • join in the chorus
  • catchy chorus
  • chorus of a song
Synonyms
  • refrain

    more formal or literary term for the repeated part of a song

  • hook

    informal term for a catchy, memorable short section, especially in pop music

Antonyms
  • verse

    the part of a song that tells the story, with different words each time

2. a musical work composed for singers in a choir, often belonging to a larger piec

2.nounB2
Definition

a musical work composed for singers in a choir, often belonging to a larger piece like an opera or oratorio

Example

The choir spent three months learning the famous chorus from Handel's Messiah.

collocation: chorus from [work]

The composer wrote a new chorus for the cathedral choir to sing at Easter.

Common collocations
  • perform a chorus
  • chorus from an opera
  • famous chorus
  • choral chorus
Synonyms
  • choral piece

    a more general term for any music written for a choir

  • chorale

    a specific type of hymn tune, especially in German Protestant music

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (REFRAIN): this sense refers to a complete musical piece intended for choir performance, not to a repeated section of a popular song.

3. singers who perform together as a trained team, often appearing in churches, sch

3.nounB1
Definition

singers who perform together as a trained team, often appearing in churches, schools, or concert halls

Example

The school chorus meets every Tuesday afternoon in the music room.

grammar: takes singular verb for a group unit

Ravi joined the local chorus because he wanted to sing with other people.

Common collocations
  • join a chorus
  • school chorus
  • chorus member
  • direct a chorus
Synonyms
  • choir

    often used for religious groups; in many contexts interchangeable with chorus

  • vocal ensemble

    more formal term for a small group of trained singers

Usage Note

Can take a singular verb (the chorus performs) when seen as a single unit, or a plural verb (the chorus perform) when referring to individual members. Choir is a close synonym but tends to be used for religious singing groups, while chorus is more general.

4. singers and dancers in a musical or stage production who perform together as a s

4.nounB2
Definition

singers and dancers in a musical or stage production who perform together as a supporting team behind the main characters

Example

The chorus in the musical wore bright gold costumes and danced across the stage.

collocation: the chorus in [production]

After weeks of rehearsal, the chorus performed every number without a single mistake.

Common collocations
  • the chorus in a musical
  • chorus member
  • chorus line
  • join the chorus
Synonyms
  • ensemble

    broader term for a group of performers working together in a show

  • corps de ballet

    specifically the dance group in a ballet production

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 3 (SINGING GROUP): this sense specifically refers to performers in a theatrical production who both sing and dance, not to a standalone concert choir.

5. in ancient Athenian theatre, performers who sang, danced, and recited poetry tog

5.nounC1
Definition

in ancient Athenian theatre, performers who sang, danced, and recited poetry together to offer commentary on the drama unfolding before the audience

Example

In Sophocles' plays, the chorus often warned the hero about the dangers of pride.

domain: ancient Greek drama

The twelve members of the chorus wore masks and moved in perfect unison.

Common collocations
  • the Greek chorus
  • chorus in a tragedy
  • ancient chorus
  • chorus members

Usage Note

Always refers to the historical convention of ancient Greek theatre (5th century BCE). Do not confuse with the modern theatrical chorus (sense 4 — SHOW ENSEMBLE), which serves a supporting role rather than a commenting one.

6. a situation where many voices share a common emotion or opinion in unison, produ

6.nounB2
Definition

a situation where many voices share a common emotion or opinion in unison, producing a unified sound

Example

A chorus of cheers erupted from the crowd when the winning goal was scored.

pattern: a chorus of [sound/response]

Closing the library drew a chorus of angry protests from local families.

Common collocations
  • a chorus of cheers/protests/approval/complaints
  • in chorus
  • chorus of voices
Synonyms
  • outcry

    stronger and more negative, implying anger or protest

  • unison

    more general, can refer to any simultaneous action or speech, not just vocal expressions

Antonyms
  • silence

    the absence of any shared sound or reaction

Usage Note

Typically used with of followed by a collective noun (a chorus of cheers/protests/approval). The phrase in chorus means 'all together' and functions as an adverb: 'The children answered in chorus.'

Common Mistakes

A chorus of cheer was heard.
A chorus of cheers was heard.
'cheers' (plural noun) is the standard collocation, not the singular 'cheer'.
Idioms

in chorus

idiom

When people speak or sing at the same time.

The students answered the teacher's question in chorus.

Did the choir sing that part in chorus or separately?

chorus — verb

Word family

  • choral
    adjectiveB2
  • chorister
    nounC1
  • chorale
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/6

Chorus emphasises people expressing the same feeling or opinion at once, often with shared emotion (a chorus of approval). Outcry carries stronger negative emotion — it means a loud expression of anger or protest (public outcry over the decision). Unison is more neutral and technical, referring to any simultaneous action or speech (they answered in unison). Cacophony describes a harsh, jarring mix of sounds with no shared meaning (a cacophony of car horns). Din focuses on loudness that is physically overwhelming (the din of the factory). In everyday use, choose chorus for unified expressions, outcry for public anger, cacophony for unpleasant noise, and din for overwhelming volume.

outcryunisoncacophonydin ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a chorus of approval / protest / cheers / complaints
  • in chorus

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Chorus entered English from Latin 'chorus' meaning a dance or a company of dancers and singers, which was borrowed from Greek 'khoros'. In ancient Athens, the khoros was a group of performers who sang, danced, and offered commentary in theatrical competitions. The word later broadened in Medieval Latin to mean a group of church singers (a choir), and in the 16th century English picked up the musical sense of a repeated song section — the part that a choir or audience would sing together. The metaphorical sense of 'a chorus of voices' (many people speaking at once) dates from the 1700s.