alleluia

[ al-uh-loo-yuh ]

interjection

1. praise ye the Lord; hallelujah.

noun

1. a song of praise to God.

alleluia

/ ˌælɪˈluːjə /

interjection

1. praise the Lord! Used more commonly in liturgical contexts in place of hallelujah

noun

1. a song of praise to God

Other Words From

• al·le·lu·iat·ic [al-, uh, -loo-, yat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleluia¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek allēlouíā, from Hebrew halĕlûyāh “praise Yahweh”; hallelujah ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleluia¹

C14: via Medieval Latin from Hebrew hallelūyāh

Example Sentences

“I have heard! I have heard the word of God, alleluia! He said, ‘You witches come out.

From Literature

Though the Bible readings through this period warn against performing dourness for the sake of impressing people with your piety, the church itself goes stark: rough, burlaplike vestments instead of shiny finery; no “alleluias.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• chant
• ditty
• oratorio
• paean
• psalm