What does chorister mean?
A chorister is a person who sings as part of a choir, most commonly in a church or cathedral setting, where choirs of children and adults perform regularly in worship services. The term has deep roots in English religious tradition: cathedral and collegiate choirs in Britain have employed boy choristers for centuries, and phrases such as 'head chorister' and 'boy chorister' remain familiar there. While the word can describe any choir member, it tends to sound formal and traditional next to the more neutral phrase 'choir member', and it is used far less often for secular singing groups. In some Christian denominations, particularly older Anglican usage, 'chorister' can also refer to the person appointed to lead or direct the choir. The word derives from 'chorus' combined with the agent-forming suffix '-ster', marking it as a term for one who performs the action. For anyone writing about sacred music, church life, or choral tradition, 'chorister' is the precise and evocative choice.
nounA member of a choir, especially a boy or girl who sings in a church or cathedral choir; also, the leader of such a choir in some churches.
- A singer who is a member of a choir, especially in a church or cathedral.
- In some Christian traditions, the director or leader of a church choir.
"The young chorister's clear soprano rang through the cathedral during evensong."
"As head chorister, she led the trebles through every service of Holy Week."
"He began as a boy chorister at King's College and went on to study conducting."
Regular plural; commonly used when referring collectively to the members of a particular choir.
"The choristers gathered in the vestry before the evening service."
Chorister is built on '-ster', an Old English ending that once marked female agents (as in 'spinster') — yet it now applies to singers of any gender.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chorister
'Chorister' entered English from Anglo-Norman and Old French forms such as 'querestor', ultimately deriving from Latin 'chorista' and Greek 'khoros', meaning a group of dancers or singers. The modern form arose through association with 'chorus' plus the agentive suffix '-ster'. Cognates include 'chorus', 'choir', and 'chorale', all tracing back to the same Greek root. The word has been in use since late medieval times.
How chorister is actually used
The word carries strong ecclesiastical and British connotations, being especially associated with cathedral and collegiate choirs, where 'boy chorister' is a well-established term. In American usage it appears mainly in church contexts and sounds somewhat formal or traditional compared to plain 'choir member'.
Easily confused with chorister
A chorale is a hymn tune or choral composition, whereas a chorister is a person who sings in a choir.