hymn

[ him ]

noun

1. a song or ode in praise or honor of God, a deity, a nation, etc.

   Synonyms: paean, psalm, anthem

2. something resembling this, as a speech, essay, or book in praise of someone or something.

verb (used with object)

1. to praise or celebrate in a hymn; express in a hymn.

verb (used without object)

1. to sing hymns.

hymn

/ ˈhɪmnɪk; hɪm /

noun

1. a Christian song of praise sung to God or a saint
2. a similar song praising other gods, a nation, etc

verb

1. to express (praises, thanks, etc) by singing hymns

Derived Forms

• hymnic, adjective
• ˈhymnˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• hymn·er [him, -er, -ner], noun
• hymnlike adjective
• un·hymned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymn¹

before 1000; < Latin hymnus < Greek hýmnos song in praise of gods or heroes; replacing Middle English ymne (< Old French ) and Old English ymn (< Late Latin ymnus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymn¹

C13: from Latin hymnus, from Greek humnos

Example Sentences

“Our Town,” unfolding at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre like a glorious hymn, was the play I didn’t realize just how badly our country needed right now.

From Los Angeles Times

The young women, wearing dresses in various shades of pink, one of the sorority’s colors, softly sang their national hymn.

From Los Angeles Times

They were encouraged to join the nuns in singing hymns while they ate.

From Los Angeles Times

But it was Coldplay who were left singing a victory 'hymn for the weekend' after getting five correct results with one exact score, for a total of 80 points.

From BBC

Only after reaching that height could he then find the grace to to make “Old Man River,” sung as a new hymn of somber inspiration, his epilogue, the acid trip’s final, meaningful passage.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chant
• ditty
• oratorio
• paean
• psalm