Word
choir
US/ˈkwaɪɝ/
UK/kwˈaɪə/
Definitions
01singing group
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Music
n. a group of people who sing together, especially in a church, school, or concert hall.
n. an organized company of singers, typically performing choral music in a religious or secular context.
日本語:聖歌隊、合唱団※
“The school choir is practicing every afternoon for the winter concert.”
“The cathedral choir performed a complex polyphonic arrangement that showcased the exceptional range of the soprano soloists.”
Usage
Often used with a singular verb in British English and American English, though plural verbs are also common in British English.
02church architecture
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Architecture Technical
n. the area in a large church where the singers and priests sit, usually near the front.
n. the area of a cruciform church between the nave and the sanctuary, traditionally reserved for the clergy and the choir.
“The tourists admired the beautifully carved wooden seats in the choir.”
“The architect noted that the choir was unusually elongated, a common feature in English Gothic cathedrals compared to their continental counterparts.”
03rank of angels
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Formal · Literary
n. one of the nine levels or groups of angels in some religious traditions.
n. one of the nine traditional orders or ranks of celestial beings in Christian angelology.
“Ancient stories describe the different choirs of angels singing in heaven.”
“The theologian discussed the hierarchical distinction between the various choirs of angels, specifically focusing on the seraphim and cherubim.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “choir” in context.
Verb
01. choir perform
“The choir performs a wide range of music, from classical to modern pop.”
noun + verb
02. choir sing
“As the bride entered, the choir began to sing a traditional hymn.”
noun + verb
03. conduct choir
“It takes a lot of skill to conduct a choir of over fifty singers.”
verb + noun
04. join choir
“He decided to join the choir to improve his sight-reading skills.”
verb + noun
05. rehearse with choir
“The soloist spent the afternoon rehearsing with the choir in the cathedral.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. chamber choir
“The university chamber choir specializes in complex Renaissance music.”
adj + noun
07. church choir
“She has been a dedicated member of the local church choir for over twenty years.”
adj + noun
08. gospel choir
“The energy and passion of the gospel choir moved the entire audience.”
adj + noun
09. school choir
“The school choir is practicing hard for the upcoming winter concert.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. member of choir
“Every member of the choir must attend the final dress rehearsal.”
noun + prep + noun
11. join the local choir
“After moving to the village, she decided to join the local choir to meet people.”
12. preach to the choir
“There is no need to convince me; you are preaching to the choir.”
Real-World Examples
“Bruce has retired from teaching and now sings in the local choir, walks his dog on the beach and volunteers with the local branch of the RNLI.” “Barkley Thompson is the musical director of the choir.” Etymology
From Middle English quer, quere, from Old French quer, from Latin chorus, from Ancient Greek χορός (khorós, “company of dancers or singers”). Modern spelling influenced by chorus and French chœur. Doublet of quire, chorus, and hora.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. Nikon choir
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/choir
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0