What does chorus mean?
A chorus is fundamentally a group of voices raised together — whether a body of singers performing a work of music, or the repeated, memorable section of a song that listeners anticipate after each verse. The word also carries a rich dramatic heritage: in ancient Greek theatre, the chorus was an ensemble of performers who sang and danced their commentary on the unfolding action, a convention that shaped Western drama for centuries. Beyond music and stage, 'chorus' extends metaphorically to any collective voice — one might speak of 'a chorus of disapproval' when many people express the same sentiment at once. Used as a verb, it describes speaking or singing in unison. Derived forms include 'choral' (relating to choirs), 'chorister' (a singer in a choir), and 'chorused' (uttered in unison). Cognates sharing its Greek root include 'choir' itself and 'choreography', both tracing back to the Greek khoros, meaning a band of dancers or singers.
A group of singers performing together; the repeated section of a song; or a collective expression of opinion.
"The chorus sang beautifully during the Handel aria."
To sing or say something all together in unison.
"'Good morning!' the class chorused."
Standard plural; note that 'choruses' can refer to multiple groups of singers or multiple refrains within a piece.
"The composer wrote several choruses for the finale."
The word 'chorus' and 'choir' come from the very same Greek root — but only one of them got there via Latin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chorus
The word chorus comes from Latin chorus, borrowed from Greek khoros (χορός), which denoted a band of dancers or singers performing together, particularly in religious festivals and drama. It entered English in the mid-16th century, initially referring to the collective singers in church music and later extending to the dramatic ensemble of Greek theatre and the refrain of a song. The same Greek root gives us choir (via Latin and Old French) and choreography (from khoreia, dance, and graphein, to write).
Related word forms
How chorus is actually used
In classical music contexts, 'chorus' and 'choir' are often used interchangeably, though 'choir' is more common for smaller ensembles associated with churches, while 'chorus' tends to refer to larger groups or those performing secular works. In popular music, 'chorus' specifically denotes the recurring hook-like section, distinct from 'verse'.
Easily confused with chorus
A chorale is a specific type of hymn tune or choral composition, whereas a chorus is either a group of singers or the repeated section of a song.