hymnal

[ him-nl ]

noun

1. Also called hymn·book [him, -b, oo, k]. a book of hymns for use in a religious service.

adjective

1. of or relating to hymns.

hymnal

/ ˈhɪmnəl /

noun

1. a book of hymns

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of hymns

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymnal¹

1535–45; hymnal ( indef 1 ) < Medieval Latin hymnāle, noun use of neuter of hymnālis (adj.); hymnal ( indef 2 ) < Medieval Latin hymnālis; hymn, -al ¹, -al ²

Example Sentences

He marked each week’s musical selections with scraps of paper, which, to his abiding annoyance, fluttered to the floor when he opened his hymnal.

From Washington Post

Surreally, a choir of high school students at the gate adjoining ours begins singing a hymnal.

From The Daily Beast

For his part, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is singing from Reid's hymnal.

From The Daily Beast

On a shelf, at some convenient place, and specially built for their accommodation, the Bible and hymnal are kept.

From Project Gutenberg

In Korea a union hymnal was issued some time ago and the first edition of 24,000 copies was sold within the first few weeks.

From Project Gutenberg

Even hymnal poetry was not devoid of this characteristic, and continued halting and rugged like Kaliri's.

From Project Gutenberg

Hymns of nearly all these men are in common use in many congregations, and some of their work has found a place in every hymnal.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps he was holding the hymnal now and Miss Witherspoon was singing with him from the same book.

From Project Gutenberg