hymnhymn /hɪm/ ●○○ noun [countable] 
He liked to sing hymns as he worked.2a hymn to something a book, film, song etc that strongly praises a person or idea: Their first single was a hymn to selfishness called ‘Looking After Number One’.3be singing from the same hymn book/sheet British English used to say that two or more people understand each other and are thinking about something in the same way
WORD ORIGINhymn
Origin:
800-900 Latin hymnus ‘song of praise’, from Greek hymnosEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a hymn book
- Even though they are momentarily looking at the same hymn book, they are singing different songs.
- He liked the hymns and ever afterwards admired the Congregational hymn book.
- There were two organs in the Great Chamber and hymns were often sung.
- This hymn is full of symbolism.
- This year, I am delighted that my hon. Friends have at least found the same page of the hymn book.
- We would play the hymns just the way we played here at the Helios.
THESAURUStypes of song
the official song of a country, which is sung or played on public occasions: · Before the match, everyone stood up to sing the national anthem.
a religious song that is sung in a church: · What hymns did you choose for your wedding?· At funerals people often sing the hymn ‘Abide with Me’.
a traditional Christmas song: · We went around the houses, singing carols.
a traditional song from a particular area: · an old Mexican folk song
a long folk song which tells a story: · a traditional ballad about a man who is dreaming of his home in Ireland
a slow quiet song sung to children to make them go to sleep: · She sat by the child’s bed, softly singing a lullaby.
WORD SETSa cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY He liked to sing hymns as he worked.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
He liked to sing hymns as he worked.· a rousing hymn tune
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Many of the new hymn books include worship songs and they find widespread acceptance.· On the whole, the Commission urges that new hymn tunes should be composed for new words, and viceversa.· Familiar and new hymns need to be carefully combined.· Happily, there are many fine new hymns and hymn books now available, including those compiled by the Jubilate Group.· In New Zealand five new hymn books were published in 1989.· Other printing projects for the church already under way include Sunday school materials and a new hymn book.
NOUN· This year, I am delighted that my hon. Friends have at least found the same page of the hymn book.· Birmingham and I are more often on the same page in the hymn book on the issues than I and Sen.· The care with which Christians had treasured their Bibles, prayer books and hymn books was very touching.· Sales of Bibles, hymn books, religious medallions and crucifixes are at an all-time high, he said.· He liked the hymns and ever afterwards admired the Congregational hymn book.· Even though they are momentarily looking at the same hymn book, they are singing different songs.· They were sharing a hymn book and singing.· Many large churches, however, provide hymn books in the pews.
· The care with which Christians had treasured their Bibles, prayer books and hymn books was very touching.· Sales of Bibles, hymn books, religious medallions and crucifixes are at an all-time high, he said.· Many large churches, however, provide hymn books in the pews.· Many of the new hymn books include worship songs and they find widespread acceptance.· In addition, the stewards handing out the hymn books require alerting and training in their responsibility in making the visitor welcome.· Most modern hymn books contain few office hymns.· Happily, there are many fine new hymns and hymn books now available, including those compiled by the Jubilate Group.· In New Zealand five new hymn books were published in 1989.
· The papers were yellowing hymn sheets, nothing more.· He thinks a tide chart is a sort of hymn sheet.
VERB· Marcus leaps out of bed and starts to play Victorian hymns on the little portable organ he has in his bedroom.· We would play the hymns just the way we played here at the Helios.· Aunt Edie didn't play hymns.· Perspiring and trembling after a dissipated night, he is nevertheless vigorous as he plays the hopeful Lutheran hymns.· After the age of five she had no formal lessons, but played hymns in churches and sang in church choirs.
· The friar could have sworn that Sir John was singing a hymn or a song under his breath.· J., singing hymns and gospels with her family.· Christians who want to sing their hymns but can't be bothered to get involved in their local church.· The video also shows McCovery, eyes tightly closed, singing hymns in church or dripping wet after her baptism last August.· Mum is singing along with the last hymn.· Then, as the condemned man sang hymns with a chaplain, he bowed his head and wept.· There, in predictable manner, we sing our hymns and say our prayers.· At the foot of the Piccadilly Line escalator at Leicester Square a drunk man squatted, singing hymns.
· Here too he started to write hymns which he would sing to his own accompaniment on a lute.· Aratus wrote his hymn to Pan after Antigonus Gonatas' victory over the Gauls in the following year.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be singing from the same hymn book/sheet
1a song of praise to God: - But the message-a hymn to multiculturalism and environmentalism-is of the present.
He liked to sing hymns as he worked.2a hymn to something a book, film, song etc that strongly praises a person or idea: Their first single was a hymn to selfishness called ‘Looking After Number One’.3be singing from the same hymn book/sheet British English used to say that two or more people understand each other and are thinking about something in the same way