chorus

1 of 2

noun

cho·​rus ˈkȯr-əs How to pronounce chorus (audio)
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
: a sound made by many people or animals at the same time
a chorus of boos
We awoke to a chorus of birdsong.
that eternal chorus of: "Are we there yet?" from the back seatSheila More
b
: a group of people or animals that are all heard at the same time
a chorus of frogs

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 of chorus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The song kicks off with a string orchestra introduction followed by a Carmina Burana-like chorus and then Rosalía singing in an operatic soprano voice — in three languages. Dan Rys, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025 Starting as a chorus pig on The Muppet Show in the mid-1970s, Miss Piggy gradually became a bigger part of the series, before becoming an icon in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
There will be a special appearance by the OC Sound, an award-winning Sweet Adelines chorus from Orange County. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025 The sound chorused from Minnesota’s bench as Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert exited stage right after shining under the bright Hollywood lights Wednesday in Los Angeles. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for chorus

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chorus was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chorus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chorus. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

chorus

1 of 2 noun
cho·​rus ˈkōr-əs How to pronounce chorus (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on chorus

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