hymn
B2Formal, religious, literary
Definition
Meaning
A religious song of praise to a god or deity, especially one used in Christian worship.
Any song, poem, or piece of music that praises or celebrates something, often used metaphorically.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with Christian liturgy; can imply tradition, reverence, or communal singing. Metaphorical use is poetic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The idiom 'sing from the same hymn sheet' is predominantly British; Americans might use 'sing from the same hymnbook' or 'on the same page'.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes solemnity, tradition, and communal worship.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to the idiom, but overall similar frequency in religious contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hymn to [deity/person]hymn of [praise/thanks]sing a hymnwrite a hymnVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sing from the same hymn sheet”
- “a hymn of hate”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in metaphors about alignment (e.g., 'We need to sing from the same hymn sheet').
Academic
Used in religious studies, musicology, and literature to analyse liturgical or poetic texts.
Everyday
Mainly in religious contexts (e.g., discussing church services) or when using the idiom.
Technical
In music, refers to a strophic song with a simple melody, often in four-part harmony, used in worship.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The poet hymned the beauty of the English countryside in his verse.
American English
- The speech hymned the founding principles of the nation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We sang a hymn at the wedding.
- The congregation stood to sing a traditional hymn.
- Her latest poem is a hymn to the resilience of the human spirit.
- The composer's final symphony was interpreted as a secular hymn to nature.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'hymn' rhyming with 'him' – you sing a hymn to praise Him (God).
Conceptual Metaphor
PRAISE IS A SONG; UNITY IS SINGING IN HARMONY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'гимн' (gimn) often means 'anthem' (e.g., national anthem), which is broader and not exclusively religious.
- Avoid using 'hymn' for secular anthems; use 'anthem' instead.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'hym' or 'himn'.
- Confusing with 'anthem' (which can be secular).
- Using 'hymn' as a verb in everyday speech (it's poetic).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'hymn' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A hymn is a religious song of praise with a regular metre and rhyme, often written by known authors, while a psalm is a sacred song or poem from the Biblical Book of Psalms, often used in worship but with a more varied structure.
Yes, but it is rare and poetic. It means 'to praise or celebrate in song', as in 'The poet hymned the hero's deeds'.
Primarily, but it can be used metaphorically for any song of praise or celebration, and occasionally appears in other religious traditions (e.g., 'Vedic hymns').
It means to express the same views or to be in agreement, especially in a public or coordinated manner. It is mostly used in British English.