chorale
Americannoun
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a hymn, especially one with strong harmonization.
a Bach chorale.
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a group of singers specializing in singing church music; choir.
noun
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a slow stately hymn tune, esp of the Lutheran Church
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a choir or chorus
Etymology
Origin of chorale
1835–45; < German Choral, short for Choralgesang, translation of Latin cantus chorālis choral singing; choral
Explanation
A chorale is the melody of a Christian hymn, or religious song. You're most likely to hear a chorale in a church. You can use the noun chorale to talk about a church song, or more specifically, the tune which the voices sing. Most chorales are sung in harmony, blending higher and lower voices, and are fairly simple melodies that are relatively easy to sing along with. The word comes from the German Choralgesang, "choral song," with its Latin root of cantus choralis, "song belonging to a choir."
Vocabulary lists containing chorale
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.
The book is a democratic chorale, ringing with many voices.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025
The chorale is an all-volunteer group of talented singers, directed by the dedicated Joseph Crnko, and deserved every minute of that standing ovation!
From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2024
With rhythmic support from a tabla, Oak’s Hindustani song glides in and around the California chorale as it flows and surges in English and Latin.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2023
In this elaborate miniature, an eerie chorale of vocal harmonies carries the names of places in France; then guitar counterpoint takes over, sketching a melody just once before letting it fall away.
From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2023
The prisoners saying a chorale, they sing in parts, and it sounds almost as if there were no voices, but an organ far away on the moor.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
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.
