requiem: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, musical
Quick answer
What does “requiem” mean?
A Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.
Any musical composition, poem, or other work performed in memory of the dead; a lament or tribute for the deceased.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term primarily in religious, musical, and literary contexts.
Connotations
Equally solemn and formal in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to stronger historical ties to Latin liturgical tradition, but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “requiem” in a Sentence
requiem for + [person/thing]requiem + [prepositional phrase: in memory of]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “requiem” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; extremely rare and poetic) 'They came to requiem their fallen leader.'
American English
- (Not standard; extremely rare and poetic) 'The poet requiemed the lost era in his verses.'
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard) 'A requiem tone filled the hall.' (Use 'requiem-like' or 'funereal' instead.)
American English
- (Not standard) 'The service had a requiem feel.' (Use 'requiem-like' or 'mournful' instead.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The merger sounded a requiem for the old corporate culture.'
Academic
Common in musicology, religious studies, and literature discussing works like Mozart's Requiem or literary elegies.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used mainly when referring to the specific musical composition or in formal/written contexts about death.
Technical
Specific in music (a musical setting of the Mass for the Dead) and in Catholic liturgy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “requiem”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “requiem”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “requiem”
- Misspelling as 'requim' or 'requeim'.
- Using it to mean any sad song, rather than one specifically for the dead.
- Pronouncing it /ri:'kwaiəm/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its most famous use is for musical compositions (like Mozart's Requiem), it originates from and is still used for the Catholic Mass for the Dead. It can also be used metaphorically in literature and speech for any act of remembrance or marking an end.
Standard dictionaries do not list it as a verb. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to requiem someone') is non-standard, highly poetic, and very rare. It is best to use phrases like 'sing a requiem for' or 'compose a requiem for'.
A 'requiem' is specifically a Mass or musical composition for the dead, often with a formal, liturgical structure. A 'dirge' is a broader term for a mournful song, poem, or lament, often simpler and more informal, performed at a funeral.
The most common American pronunciation is /ˈrɛk.wi.əm/ (REK-wee-uhm). A less common, more Latin-influenced pronunciation is /ˈreɪ.kwi.əm/ (RAY-kwee-uhm). The British pronunciation is typically /ˈrɛk.wi.em/ (REK-wee-em).
A Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.
Requiem is usually formal, literary, musical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sing someone's requiem (to mourn or mark the end of something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'REQuest for thEM' who have passed away – a request for eternal peace.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEATH IS SLEEP / THE END IS A MUSICAL COMPOSITION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'requiem' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?