adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
- chorally adverb
Etymology
Origin of choral
1580–90; < Medieval Latin chorālis, equivalent to chor ( us ) chorus + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
When a large, organized group sings together, the music can be described as choral. Singing the choral piece "Messiah" by Handel is an annual tradition for many people who celebrate Christmas. The adjective choral is used for music that's sung by a choir or chorus — or written for voices, rather than instruments. It also describes anything connected to that kind of singing, like choral groups, choral concerts, and choral scholars who major in music at college. The word comes from the Greek khoros, which means "dance," but implies some singing too.
Vocabulary lists containing choral
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo War, the 82-year-old's choral work from 2000 reflects on the devastation of conflict while expressing hope for peace.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
Pamela Hopkins asked when she stepped out of a Sunday evening choral service at St. Philip’s.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026
After close to four years without a new release, Harry Styles re-emerged this week with “Aperture,” a thumping electronic track featuring handsome choral harmonies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026
Featuring a voice-over from Peterlee-born actress Gina McKee, the musical accompaniment was a church-like choral arrangement in a nod to supporters' viewing the sport as akin to a religion.
From BBC • Oct. 4, 2025
Did they hope that by eliminating our lisps, they might set us on a different path, or were they trying to prepare us for future stage and choral careers?
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
