# Amen

/ɑˈmɛn/ (US) · /ˌɑːmˈɛn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/amen
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. at the end of a prayer

interjection · CEFR B1

a word you say at the end of a prayer or religious service to mean 'I agree' or 'let it be so'.

For teachers: a liturgical formula used at the conclusion of a prayer or hymn to signal solemn ratification.

- The congregation said amen after the priest finished the final blessing.
- The service concluded with a collective amen that echoed through the cathedral's vaulted ceiling.

### 3. the act of saying the word

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of saying the word 'amen'.

For teachers: an instance of uttering the word 'amen' as an expression of agreement or religious devotion.

- A loud amen came from the back of the room.
- The speaker paused, waiting for a chorus of amens from the audience before continuing his passionate speech.

### 4. to express agreement

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to say 'amen' to something or to show you support it.

For teachers: to utter 'amen' in response to a statement; by extension, to ratify or support a proposal solemnly.

- The committee members were quick to amen the new proposal.
- He was willing to amen any policy that promised to increase the company's quarterly dividends.

## Examples

- I'll give a loud amen to that idea.
- When she suggested that the office needed better coffee, she received a chorus of amens from her colleagues.
- The speaker's call for more transparent leadership met with a resounding amen from the back of the hall, signaling that the audience shared his frustrations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.