chorus

¹cho·rus

noun \ˈkȯr-əs\

Definition of CHORUS

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 and epilogue 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>

— in chorus

: in unison <answering in chorus>

Examples of CHORUS

1. We awoke to a chorus of birdsong.
2. The President's policies have been questioned by a growing chorus of critics.

Origin of CHORUS

Latin, ring dance, chorus, from Greek choros

First Known Use: 1567

Related to CHORUS

Synonyms: choir, chorale, consort, glee club

Related Words: ensemble; minstrelsy

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

Rhymes with CHORUS

Doris, Horace, Horus, loris, Maurice, morris, orris, porous, sorus, torus