choirboy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Sometimes Ironic
Quick answer
What does “choirboy” mean?
A boy who sings in a church or cathedral choir, often one who is part of a traditional religious institution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A boy who sings in a church or cathedral choir, often one who is part of a traditional religious institution.
A person, often a young man or boy, who embodies an image of angelic innocence, purity, or naivety, sometimes used ironically to describe someone who appears innocent but may not be.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The institution of cathedral choir schools is more historically entrenched and common in the UK, making the literal term more familiar. In the US, the term is understood but may be less culturally immediate outside of liturgical contexts.
Connotations
UK: Stronger association with tradition, establishment, and specific schools (e.g., King's College, Cambridge). US: May have a slightly more generic or purely religious association.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English due to the prevalence of the institution; lower in everyday US English.
Grammar
How to Use “choirboy” in a Sentence
choirboy in (the cathedral choir)choirboy for (St. Paul's)choirboy with (an angelic voice)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “choirboy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He had a choirboy innocence that was quite disarming.
- She described his features as choirboy-ish.
American English
- His choirboy looks belied a cunning mind.
- It was a choirboy-clean performance, free of controversy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Potentially metaphorical: 'The new intern has a choirboy innocence about him, but he's shrewd.'
Academic
Used in historical, religious, or musicological studies discussing church institutions.
Everyday
Used literally when discussing church activities or children's roles. Used metaphorically/ironically to describe someone's appearance or perceived innocence.
Technical
Used in liturgical music contexts to specify a vocal part (treble/boys' voices) or a member of a specific choir tradition.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “choirboy”
- Misspelling as 'quireboy' (archaic) or 'chiorboy'. Confusing with 'chorus boy' (a young male dancer/singer in musical theatre). Using 'choirboy' to refer to a girl (use 'choirgirl').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, closed compound word: choirboy.
No, the term is specifically masculine. The equivalent for a girl is 'choirgirl'.
'Chorister' is a more formal, gender-neutral term for any singer in a choir, though it can specifically denote a boy in a church choir. 'Choirboy' always specifies a boy and has stronger cultural connotations.
It's used ironically because the stereotype of a choirboy is extreme innocence and purity. Calling a person who is clearly not innocent a 'choirboy' creates a humorous or sarcastic contrast.
A boy who sings in a church or cathedral choir, often one who is part of a traditional religious institution.
Choirboy is usually formal, literary, sometimes ironic in register.
Choirboy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkwaɪə.bɔɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkwaɪər.bɔɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He has] a choirboy face/choirboy looks”
- “not exactly a choirboy (ironic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHOIR of BOYs singing in harmony. The word 'choir' contains the sound 'quire', which is an old word for a group, and 'boy' is straightforward.
Conceptual Metaphor
INNOCENCE IS PURITY / A PERSON IS THEIR ROLE (The role defines the person's perceived character).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'choirboy' used metaphorically?