# Kyrie

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kyrie
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a short prayer or song used in some church services that asks for mercy. It is also the name for a piece of music written for this prayer.

For teachers: a short liturgical prayer or response beginning with or consisting of the words 'Kyrie eleison'. Often refers to the first movement of a musical setting of the Mass.

## Examples

- The choir sang a beautiful kyrie during the morning service.
- The composer spent months perfecting the kyrie, ensuring the opening movement set a somber tone for the rest of the Mass.
- In many classical choral works, the kyrie is characterized by a polyphonic structure that emphasizes the repetitive nature of the plea for divine compassion.

## Usage notes

- Often capitalized as 'Kyrie' when referring to the specific liturgical text or a titled musical movement.

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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.