community singing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to semi-formal. Most common in journalistic, historical, or event-planning contexts.
Quick answer
What does “community singing” mean?
Organized singing by a group of people in a public setting, often of well-known songs, hymns, or carols.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Organized singing by a group of people in a public setting, often of well-known songs, hymns, or carols.
Any coordinated group singing activity designed to foster a sense of unity, belonging, or shared purpose among participants, sometimes with a leader or printed song sheets. Can be informal (around a campfire) or formal (a civic event).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. The term is slightly more historically resonant in UK English due to its prominence during WWI and WWII. In the US, it might more commonly be specified as 'community hymn singing' or 'group singing'.
Connotations
UK: Strong historical connotations (e.g., WWI trenches, Blitz spirit, village fêtes). US: Often associated with church events, summer camps, or patriotic gatherings.
Frequency
Low in daily conversation in both varieties. More frequent in historical texts, community event descriptions, and nostalgic reminiscence.
Grammar
How to Use “community singing” in a Sentence
[The event] featured community singing.We [gathered for/participated in] community singing.The [leader/organiser] led the community singing.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “community singing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vicar encouraged the congregation to community-sing the final hymn. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- N/A. Not used as a verb.
adjective
British English
- The community-singing event was a highlight of the fête. (hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- They printed community singing booklets for everyone. (compound noun modifier)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in team-building or CSR event descriptions.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or ethnomusicology studies of group behavior and social cohesion.
Everyday
Used when describing a planned activity at a local festival, church, or school event.
Technical
Not technical. Used descriptively in event planning or community arts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “community singing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “community singing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “community singing”
- Using it to describe a professional choir concert. (Incorrect: 'The London Symphony Chorus gave a wonderful community singing.')
- Treating it as a verb. (Incorrect: 'We community sang old songs.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A choir is a rehearsed, often auditioned group that performs. Community singing is open, participatory, and emphasis is on the experience of singing together, not the quality of the performance.
It is usually organised or led (e.g., someone starts a song), but the participation is voluntary and informal. Truly spontaneous group singing is rarer but could fall under this term.
Typically well-known, simple songs: folk songs, national anthems, popular oldies, hymns, carols, and campfire songs. The key is that most people can join in without practice.
Yes, but less frequently than in the early-mid 20th century. Modern equivalents are often called 'sing-alongs' or 'group sings'. The term 'community singing' retains a slightly formal or historical flavour.
Organized singing by a group of people in a public setting, often of well-known songs, hymns, or carols.
Community singing is usually formal to semi-formal. most common in journalistic, historical, or event-planning contexts. in register.
Community singing: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnəti ˈsɪŋɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnəti ˈsɪŋɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not idiomatic as a phrase; it is a literal compound noun.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COMmunity of people, UNIFIED, all SINGING together - the core words are right there.
Conceptual Metaphor
SINGING IS BONDING / THE COMMUNITY IS A CHOIR.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best exemplifies 'community singing'?