hallelujah

or hal·le·lu·iah

[ hal-uh-loo-yuh ]

interjection

1. Praise ye the Lord!

noun

1. an exclamation of “hallelujah!”
2. a shout of joy, praise, or gratitude.
3. a musical composition wholly or principally based upon the word “hallelujah.”

hallelujah

/ ˌælɪˈluːjə; ˌhælɪˈluːjə /

interjection

1. an exclamation of praise to God
2. an expression of relief or a similar emotion

noun

1. an exclamation of "Hallelujah"
2. a musical composition that uses the word Hallelujah as its text

Word History and Origins

Origin of hallelujah¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Hebrew halĕlûyāh “praise Yahweh,” from halĕlû (masculine imperative plural of hīlēl “to praise”) + -yāh Yahweh

Word History and Origins

Origin of hallelujah¹

C16: from Hebrew hallelūyāh praise the Lord, from hellēl to praise + yāh the Lord, Yahweh

Example Sentences

“This zydeco band ... can play!” says the gator, adding an excitedly drawn-out “hallelujah” for emphasis.

From Los Angeles Times

Then one day she left, and the skies opened as a heavenly host sang hallelujah.

From Salon

He often intersperses his speeches with chants of “hallelujah” in a strongly Christian country.

From Seattle Times

Ask when they're done crying hallelujah at this display of their favorite guy nutting up!

From Salon

“The contemporary Black art and the Black art boom, which I’m all for — more power to you, hallelujah — a lot of it is heavy-handed and overt and I’m not interested in that. “

From New York Times

Related Words

• chant
• ditty
• oratorio
• paean
• psalm