alleluia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Liturgical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “alleluia” mean?
An exclamation of praise to God, used in Christian worship.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An exclamation of praise to God, used in Christian worship.
An expression of great joy, relief, or triumphant praise, sometimes used in secular contexts to signify exuberant celebration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The variant spelling 'hallelujah' is marginally more common in general American usage, while 'alleluia' is strongly associated with formal liturgy in both regions.
Connotations
In both: carries strong Christian liturgical connotations. In secular British use, may sound slightly more archaic or literary.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday language in both regions. Higher frequency in religious communities and texts. The spelling 'hallelujah' sees more widespread secular use (e.g., in song titles).
Grammar
How to Use “alleluia” in a Sentence
[Sing/Shout/Cry] + alleluia[The/An] + alleluia + [rang out/echoed]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, liturgical, or historical studies discussing worship practices.
Everyday
Rare, except in exclamations of great relief or joy, often humorously or ironically ('Alleluia, you're finally here!').
Technical
A specific term in liturgy for a chant or acclamation of praise, often preceding the Gospel reading.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alleluia”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alleluia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alleluia”
- Using it as a verb ('He alleluiaed' - incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'alleluiah' or 'halleluia'.
- Using it inappropriately in formal secular contexts where 'celebration' or 'praise' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are transliterations of the same Hebrew phrase. 'Alleluia' is the Latin/English liturgical spelling common in formal worship contexts. 'Hallelujah' is a more direct Hebrew transliteration and is more common in general use, song titles, and secular contexts.
No, in modern standard English it is not used as a verb. It functions as an interjection ('Alleluia!') or a noun ('They sang an alleluia').
Typically not, as long as it is not used to mock religious practice. Its secular use is generally understood as a colorful or humorous way to express great joy or relief, though it remains recognisably rooted in religious language.
In many Western Christian traditions (e.g., Roman Catholic, Anglican), 'alleluia' is omitted during the penitential season of Lent as a sign of solemnity, and then joyfully reintroduced at Easter.
An exclamation of praise to God, used in Christian worship.
Alleluia is usually formal/liturgical/literary in register.
Alleluia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌalɪˈluːjə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæləˈluːjə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Alleluia moment (a moment of sudden relief or triumph)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine ALL the angels in a LUIA (sounds like 'loo-ya') singing praise: ALLeLUIA!
Conceptual Metaphor
JOY IS A SACRED SONG; RELIEF IS DIVINE PRAISE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'alleluia' LEAST likely to be used naturally?