name · noun · verb · 33 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈkɔːɹəs/
General-American:/ˈkɔɹəs/
rhymes with -ɔːɹəs
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Canada, General-American:/ˈkoɹəs/
California, Southern:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australian, New-Zealand:/ˈkoːɹəs/
CMU ARPABET:K AO1 R AH0 S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
name
Meaning 1
A group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical, uncountable
Qualifier: Ancient Greece
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
name
Meaning 2
A song performed by the singers of such a group.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical, uncountable
Qualifier: Ancient Greece
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical
Qualifier: Ancient Greece
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A song performed by the singers of such a group.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical
Qualifier: Ancient Greece
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
An actor who reads the prologue and epilogue of a play, and sometimes also acts as a commentator or narrator; also, a portion of a play read by this actor.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, broadly, historical
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, theater
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A group of singers performing together; a choir; specifically, such a group singing together in a musical, an opera, etc., as distinct from the soloists; an ensemble.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The performance of the chorus was awe-inspiring and exhilarating.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
A group of people in a performance who recite together.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
An instance of singing by a group of people.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
A group of people, animals, or inanimate objects who make sounds together.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
a chorus of crickets a chorus of whiners
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
The noise or sound made by such a group.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
a chorus of shouts and catcalls
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
A group of people who express a unanimous opinion.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
noun
Meaning 12
The opinion expressed by such a group.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
noun
Meaning 13
A piece of music, especially one in a larger work such as an opera, written to be sung by a choir in parts (for example, by sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
noun
Meaning 14
A part of a song which is repeated between verses to emphasize the song's content; a refrain.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
The catchiest part of most songs is the chorus.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
noun
Meaning 15
The main part of a pop song played after the introduction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
noun
Meaning 16
A group of organ pipes or organ stops intended to be played simultaneously; a compound stop; also, the sound made by such pipes or stops.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
noun
Meaning 17
A feature or setting in electronic music that makes one instrument sound like many.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: attributive, often
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
18
noun
Meaning 18
A simple, often repetitive, song intended to be sung in a group during informal worship.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: Christianity, entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
19
noun
Meaning 19
The improvised solo section in a small group performance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: jazz
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
20
verb
Meaning 20
To sing (a song), express (a sentiment), or recite or say (words) in chorus.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: duet
Antonyms: none provided
21
verb
Meaning 21
To express concurrence with (something said by another person); to echo.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
22
verb
Meaning 22
To provide (a song) with a chorus or refrain.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: rare, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
23
verb
Meaning 23
To sing the chorus or refrain of a song.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
1785, James Boswell, The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D, Wednesday, 8th September, 1773, http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/6018/pg6018-images.html Malcolm sung an Erse song, the chorus of which was 'Hatyin foam foam eri', with words of his own. [...] the boatmen and Mr M’Queen chorused, and all went well.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
24
verb
Meaning 24
To sing, express, or say in, or as if in, unison.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
25
verb
Meaning 25
To echo in unison another person's words.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
26
verb
Meaning 26
Of animals: to make cries or sounds together.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
1998, Italo Calvino, The Path to the Spiders' Nests, translated by Archibald Colquhoun, revised by Martin McLaughlin, Hopewell, NJ: The Ecco Press, 1998, Chapter Two, p. 51, The hens are now sleeping in rows on their perches in the coops, and the frogs are out of the water and chorusing away along the bed of the whole torrent, from source to mouth.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
27
noun
Meaning 27
the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: refrain
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: music
Narrower terms: tra-la, tra-la-la
28
noun
Meaning 28
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a chorus of boos
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sound
29
noun
Meaning 29
a group of people assembled to sing together
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: musical organization, musical organisation, musical group
Narrower terms: choir
30
noun
Meaning 30
a company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: Greek chorus
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: company, troupe
31
noun
Meaning 31
a body of dancers or singers who perform together
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: chorus line
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: line
Narrower terms: corps de ballet, ensemble
32
verb
Meaning 32
utter in unison
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
`yes,' the children chorused
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: utter, emit, let out, let loose
33
verb
Meaning 33
sing in a choir
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: choir
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sing
History
Etymology
From Medieval Latin chorus, Latin chorus, from Ancient Greek χορός (khorós).
The noun is borrowed from Medieval Latin chorus (“church choir”), Latin chorus (“group of dancers and singers; dance”), from Ancient Greek χορός (khorós, “group of dancers and singers, choir, chorus; dance accompanied by song; round dance”); The verb is derived from the noun. Doublet of choir, chore, and hora.
Across languages
Translations
153 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Arabic:
كَوْرَس
(kawras)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Arabic:
كُورَس
(kōras)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Bulgarian:
хор
(hor)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Catalan:
cor
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Chinese Mandarin:
合唱
(héchàng)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Dutch:
koor
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Finnish:
kuoro
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
French:
chœur antique
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
French:
chœur
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
German:
Chor
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Greek:
χορός
(chorós)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Ancient Greek:
χορός
(khorós)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Japanese:
コーラス
(kōrasu)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Japanese:
合唱
(gasshō)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Korean:
합창
(hapchang)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Polish:
chór
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Portuguese:
coro
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Russian:
хор
(xor)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Slovak:
chórus
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Southern Altai:
хор
(hor)
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Spanish:
coro
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Vietnamese:
hợp xướng
— (Ancient Greece, historical) group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song
Bulgarian:
хор
(hor)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Catalan:
cor
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Dutch:
koor
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Esperanto:
ĥoro
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Faroese:
kór
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Finnish:
kuoro
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
French:
chœur
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Galician:
coro
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Georgian:
გუნდი
(gundi)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
German:
Chor
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Greek:
χορωδία
(chorodía)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Ancient Greek:
χορός
(khorós)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Hungarian:
kórus
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Irish:
cór
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Japanese:
合唱隊
(gasshōtai)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Manx:
cochiaull
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Māori:
korihi
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Polish:
chór
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Portuguese:
coro
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Russian:
хор
(xor)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Spanish:
coro
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Swedish:
kör
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Thai:
คายกคณะ
(kaa-yá-gà-ká-ná)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Thai:
ลูกคู่
(lûuk-kûu)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Thai:
คณะประสานเสียง
(ká-ná-bprà-sǎan-sǐiang)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Thai:
คณะนักร้องประสานเสียง
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Thai:
นักร้องหมู่
(nák-rɔ́ɔng-mùu)
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Walloon:
tchantreye
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Walloon:
keur
— group of singers performing together — see also choir
Bulgarian:
хор
(hor)
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Catalan:
cor
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Catalan:
coral
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Dutch:
koor
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Finnish:
kuoro
— group of people in a performance who recite together
French:
chœur
— group of people in a performance who recite together
French:
chorale
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Galician:
coro
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Georgian:
გუნდი
(gundi)
— group of people in a performance who recite together
German:
Chor
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Greek:
χορός
(chorós)
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Ancient Greek:
χορός
(khorós)
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Polish:
chór
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Portuguese:
coro
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Russian:
хор
(xor)
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Spanish:
coro
— group of people in a performance who recite together
Albanian:
refren
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Arabic:
لَازِمَة
(lāzima)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Arabic:
قَرَار
(qarār)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Armenian:
կրկներգ
(krknerg)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Azerbaijani:
nəqərat
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Belarusian:
прыпе́ў
(prypjéw)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Belarusian:
рэфрэ́н
(refrén)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Bulgarian:
при́пев
(prípev)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Bulgarian:
рефре́н
(refrén)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Catalan:
tornada
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Chinese Mandarin:
副歌
(fùgē)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Chinese Mandarin:
高潮
(gāocháo)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Czech:
refrén
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Danish:
refræn
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Danish:
omkvæd
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Dutch:
refrein
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Esperanto:
rekantaĵo
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Estonian:
refrään
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Faroese:
niðurlag
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Finnish:
kertosäe
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
French:
refrain
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Galician:
retrouso
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Georgian:
რეფრენი
(repreni)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Georgian:
მისამღერი
(misamɣeri)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
German:
Refrain
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
German:
Kehrreim
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Greek:
επωδός
(epodós)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Hawaiian:
hui
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Hindi:
कोरस
(koras)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Hungarian:
refrén
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Japanese:
コーラス
(kōrasu)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Japanese:
リフレーン
(rifurēn)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Kazakh:
қайырма
(qaiyrma)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Khmer:
ឆា៎
(cha)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Khmer:
សាដាន
(saadaan)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Korean:
후렴
(huryeom)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Korean:
리프레인
(ripeurein)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Kyrgyz:
кайырма
(kayırma)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Lao:
ອະນຸບົດ
(ʼa nu bot)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Lao:
ສອຽ
(sǭi)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Latvian:
refrēns
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Lithuanian:
priedainis
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Lithuanian:
refrenas
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Macedonian:
рефре́н
(refrén)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Malay:
korus
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Māori:
korihi
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Norman:
èrfrain
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Norwegian Bokmål:
refreng
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Norwegian Bokmål:
omkved
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Norwegian Nynorsk:
refreng
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Norwegian Nynorsk:
omkvede
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Polish:
refren
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Portuguese:
refrão
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Romanian:
refren
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Russian:
припе́в
(pripév)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Russian:
рефре́н
(refrén)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Scottish Gaelic:
sèist
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Serbo-Croatian:
рѐфре̄н
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Serbo-Croatian:
при́пев
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Serbo-Croatian:
при́пјев
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Serbo-Croatian:
rèfrēn
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Serbo-Croatian:
prípev
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Serbo-Croatian:
prípjev
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Slovak:
refrén
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Slovene:
refren
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Southern Altai:
припев
(pripev)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Southern Altai:
кош-кожоҥы
(koš-kožoŋï)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Spanish:
estribillo
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Swedish:
refräng
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Swedish:
omkväde
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Tajik:
нақарот
(naqarot)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Tatar:
кушымта
(quşımta)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Thai:
สร้อย
(sɔ̂i)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Turkish:
nakarat
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Ukrainian:
при́спів
(prýspiv)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Ukrainian:
рефре́н
(refrén)
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Uzbek:
naqarot
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Vietnamese:
điệp khúc
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Welsh:
cytgan
— part of a song repeated between verses — see also refrain
Esperanto:
refreno
— main part of a pop song played after the introduction
Dutch:
refrein
— feature or setting in electronic music that makes one instrument sound like many
Finnish:
chorus-efekti
— feature or setting in electronic music that makes one instrument sound like many
German:
Chorus
— feature or setting in electronic music that makes one instrument sound like many
Polish:
chórek
— feature or setting in electronic music that makes one instrument sound like many
Māori:
kamu
— to sing the chorus or refrain of a song
Spanish:
corear
— to sing the chorus or refrain of a song
