Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense choruses, present participle chorusing, past tense, past participle chorused
1. countable noun
A chorus is a part of a song which is repeated after each verse.
Caroline sang two verses and the chorus of her song. [+ of]
Everyone joined in the chorus.
Synonyms: refrain, response, strain, burden More Synonyms of chorus
2. countable noun
A chorus is a large group of people who sing together.
The chorus was singing 'The Ode to Joy'.
Synonyms: choir, singers, ensemble, vocalists More Synonyms of chorus
3. countable noun
A chorus is a piece of music written to be sung by a large group of people.
...the Hallelujah Chorus.
4. countable noun
A chorus is a group of singers or dancers who perform together in a show, in contrast to the soloists.
Students played the lesser parts and sang in the chorus.
5. countable noun [usually singular]
When there is a chorusof criticism, disapproval, or praise, that attitude is expressed by a lot of people at the same time.
The government is defending its economic policies against a growing chorus of criticism. [+ of]
6. verb
When people chorus something, they say it or sing it together.
[written]
'Hi,' they chorused. [VERB with quote]
Chorus is also a noun.
He was greeted with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday.
'All the best,' called the other typists in chorus.
7. See also dawn chorus
chorus in British English
(ˈkɔːrəs)
nounWord forms: plural-ruses
1.
a large choir of singers or a piece of music composed for such a choir
2.
a body of singers or dancers who perform together, in contrast to principals or soloists
3.
a section of a song in which a soloist is joined by a group of singers, esp in a recurring refrain
4.
an intermediate section of a pop song, blues, etc, as distinct from the verse
5. jazz
any of a series of variations on a theme
6. (in ancient Greece)
a.
a lyric poem sung by a group of dancers, originally as a religious rite
b.
an ode or series of odes sung by a group of actors
7.
a.
(in classical Greek drama) the actors who sang the chorus and commented on the action of the play
b.
actors playing a similar role in any drama
8. (esp in Elizabethan drama)
a.
the actor who spoke the prologue, etc
b.
the part of the play spoken by this actor
9.
a group of people or animals producing words or sounds simultaneously
10.
any speech, song, or other utterance produced by a group of people or animals simultaneously
a chorus of sighs
the dawn chorus
11. in chorus
verb
12.
to speak, sing, or utter (words, etc) in unison
Word origin
C16: from Latin, from Greek khoros
chorus in American English
(ˈkɔrəs)
noun
1.
in ancient Greek drama, and drama like it, a company of performers whose singing,dancing, and narration provide explanation and elaboration of the main action
2.
in Elizabethan drama, a person who recites the prologue and epilogue
3.
a group of dancers and singers performing together in a modern musical show, opera, etc.
4.
the part of a drama, song, etc. performed by a chorus
5.
a group of people trained to sing or speak something together simultaneously
6.
a simultaneous utterance by many
a chorus of protest
7.
that which is thus uttered
8.
music written for group singing
9.
that part of a musical composition in which the company joins the solo singer
10.
a.
the refrain of a song or hymn following each verse
b.
the main tune, as of a jazz piece, following the introduction
c. Jazz
a solo, usually an improvised one based on the main tune of a piece
verb transitive, verb intransitive
11.
to sing, speak, or say in unison
Idioms:
in chorus
Word origin
L, a dance, band of dancers or singers < Gr choros
Examples of 'chorus' in a sentence
chorus
He invited the audience to join the chorus in song.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The chorus of people saying the same thing in conferences around the world is deafening.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The crowd showed their disapproval with a chorus of boos at the end.
The Sun (2009)
It was then left to a chorus member to sing the part from the wings.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The dawn chorus is getting louder and more insistent.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The chorus of disapproval is sure to grow.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But there were good tunes and convincing pop chorus hooks woven into the musical fabric as well.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Do you not love me enough to sing my choruses?
Christianity Today (2000)
Now he has joined the dawn chorus as well.
The Sun (2009)
The chorus of disapproval is as diverse as the new law is excluding.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Imagine unbridled joy when band and thousands of fans belt out the feel-good chorus in perfect unison.
The Sun (2015)
There is no rousing chorus, and the performance will last up to three hours.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Germany led a chorus of criticism by European governments.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Its rousing chorus was delivered with a honeyed growl and accompanied by hip-hop style hand gestures.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
An increasing chorus of social criticism in recent years has called attention to men's personal isolation.
Rotundo, E. Anthony American Manhood: Transformations in Masculinity from the Revolution to the ModernEra (1993)
He is known for his oversized sunglasses and his songs' catchy choruses.
The Sun (2012)
He hopes to go better this time, but simultaneously joins the chorus giving warning against setting expectations too high too soon.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I was one of the people in the chorus, the worst role.
The Sun (2011)
A blizzard of verses and choruses came wedged together in bundles so slick and fast that it was like watching a non-stop cabaret medley.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The second goal kept the home fans happy, but they were still not convinced and there was no rousing chorus in support of their under-fire manager.
The Sun (2011)
Word lists with
chorus
Types of composition
In other languages
chorus
British English: chorus NOUN
A chorus is a part of a song which is repeated after each verse.
She sang two verses and the chorus of her song.
American English: chorus
Brazilian Portuguese: coro
Chinese: 副歌
European Spanish: estribillo
French: refrain
German: Refrain
Italian: ritornello
Japanese: 合唱部分
Korean: 후렴
European Portuguese: coro
Latin American Spanish: estribillo
British English: chorus VERB
When people chorus something, they say it or sing it together.
Hi', they chorused.
American English: chorus
Brazilian Portuguese: falar ou cantar em coro
Chinese: 合唱
European Spanish: decir a coro
French: reprendre en chœur
German: im Chor singen {or} sprechen
Italian: dire in coro
Japanese: 口をそろえて言う
Korean: 합창하다
European Portuguese: falar ou cantar em coro
Latin American Spanish: decir en coro
All related terms of 'chorus'
in chorus
in unison
chorus girl
A chorus girl is a young woman who sings or dances as part of a group in a show or film .
chorus line
the group of dancers who perform routines in a musical
dawn chorus
The dawn chorus is the singing of birds at dawn.
stop chorus
a solo during which the rhythm section plays only the first beat of each phrase of music
chorus pedal
an electronic device that creates the effect of more than one sound from a single source by combining a short delay with slight deviations in pitch
Chinese translation of 'chorus'
chorus
(ˈkɔːrəs)
n(c)
(= refrain) 齐(齊)唱 (qíchàng)
(= song) 合唱曲 (héchàngqǔ) (首, shǒu)
(= choir, not soloists) 合唱队(隊) (héchàngduì) (支, zhī)