What does hymnal mean?
A hymnal is a book or organized collection of hymns, especially one used by a congregation during worship. The word distinguishes the volume itself from the individual sacred songs it contains: a church may select a passage from a hymnal, purchase a new hymnal, or preserve an old hymnal as a record of local musical practice. Hymnals commonly contain the words and musical notation of hymns intended for communal singing, sometimes with brief biographical or historical notes about their authors. The term is formal and literary but remains common in church, liturgical, and academic contexts. Related words include hymnalist, a person who compiles or writes hymnals, and hymnary, a broader collection or study of hymns. Although “hymnbook” can serve as an accessible synonym, “hymnal” more precisely suggests a formal or published collection associated with a congregation, denomination, or worship tradition.
A book containing a collection of hymns, especially one intended for congregational singing or worship.
"The new hymnal includes translations of several traditional hymns."
The term is commonly used for a formal collection used in church worship or congregational singing.
Relating to hymns or to the collection and use of hymns.
"The committee appointed a hymnal editor to oversee the new edition."
This attributive use is less frequent than the noun sense and usually appears before another noun, as in “hymnal committee.”
The plural is used when referring to more than one hymnal, whether as distinct books or different editions or collections.
"The archive preserves hymnals from several local congregations."
A hymnal is where a congregation’s favorite hymns become part of a shared book.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hymnal come from?
The word “hymnal” was formed in the early 19th century from “hymn” and the suffix “-al,” with its noun sense developing from the adjective meaning “of or relating to hymns.” “Hymn” ultimately comes through Latin from Greek hymnos, meaning a song of praise, especially one associated with a deity. The same root also underlies words such as “hymnic,” “hymnary,” and “hymnologist,” reflecting the long history of collecting, studying, and writing sacred verse.
Related word forms
How hymnal is actually used
The word is formal and literary, though it is also used naturally in discussion of church music. It ordinarily denotes the collection or book rather than an individual hymn.
Easily confused with hymnal
A hymn is an individual religious song, whereas a hymnal is a book or organized collection of hymns.