chorus girl: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specific/Neutral. Used in the context of theatre, entertainment, and historical discussion.
Quick answer
What does “chorus girl” mean?
A young woman who sings and dances as part of a group in a musical theatre production, revue, or similar entertainment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A young woman who sings and dances as part of a group in a musical theatre production, revue, or similar entertainment.
Historically, a performer in the chorus line of theatrical productions, often seen as a stepping-stone to more prominent roles. The term can sometimes carry connotations of glamour, anonymity, or a challenging, regimented profession.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both varieties use the term.
Connotations
In both regions, it evokes a specific historical era of entertainment (e.g., 1920s-1950s).
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in historical or biographical texts about British music hall or American Broadway.
Grammar
How to Use “chorus girl” in a Sentence
[chorus girl] + [in/for] + [show/production][chorus girl] + [at] + [theatre/venue][chorus girl] + [became/turned into] + [actress/star]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in entertainment industry discussions or historical business cases.
Academic
Used in theatre history, performance studies, and cultural studies discussing gender and labour in entertainment.
Everyday
Understood, but not common in daily conversation unless discussing theatre, film history, or biographies.
Technical
Specific term within theatre and entertainment professions, though now often replaced by more neutral terms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chorus girl”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chorus girl”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chorus girl”
- Spelling as one word: 'chorusgirl'.
- Using it for a solo singer in a choir.
- Confusing with 'showgirl', which may imply more elaborate costumes and less singing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently, but it can be seen as dated or reductive, focusing on youth and gender. Modern professional contexts often use 'ensemble performer' or 'chorus member'.
No, the term is specifically female. The male equivalent is 'chorus boy' or, more commonly today, 'ensemble dancer' or 'chorus member'.
A chorus girl typically sings and dances as part of a narrative musical. A showgirl is often associated with revues (like Vegas shows), may not sing, and is known for elaborate costumes and headdresses.
It is understood but used less frequently in contemporary casting calls, which favour gender-neutral terms like 'ensemble', 'chorus', or 'dancer/singer'.
A young woman who sings and dances as part of a group in a musical theatre production, revue, or similar entertainment.
Chorus girl is usually specific/neutral. used in the context of theatre, entertainment, and historical discussion. in register.
Chorus girl: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrəs ˌɡɜːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrəs ˌɡɝːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idiom, but often appears in phrases like] 'from chorus girl to leading lady'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'chorus' of voices and a 'girl' in the lineup. Imagine a group of young women singing and dancing in perfect unison in a big musical number.
Conceptual Metaphor
THEATRE AS A LADDER (chorus girl is a low rung), PERFORMERS AS INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS (anonymous members of a group).
Practice
Quiz
In modern theatre, which term is increasingly preferred over 'chorus girl' for its neutrality?