What does songbook mean?
A songbook is a book containing a collection of songs, usually with their words and sometimes their musical notation. It may present traditional or folk songs, the works of a particular songwriter or performer, or songs connected with a special occasion or organization. In everyday use, the word suggests a portable and organized way to preserve or share songs, contrasting with the more general idea of an album, which usually refers to recorded music. Songbooks have long been associated with singers, schools, choirs, religious communities, and theatrical or folk traditions. Today they may still be printed, but digital songbooks have made the format especially useful for performances, workshops, and shared collections of lyrics. The word combines the Germanic root behind song with the Germanic root behind book, accurately describing a book made for musical words and melodies.
nounA book containing a collection of songs, typically with their lyrics and musical notation. It may also refer to a publication presenting songs associated with a particular performer, genre, event, or organization.
- A book or other publication containing a collection of songs, especially with their lyrics and sometimes musical notation.
- A collection of songs associated with a particular performer, genre, occasion, or organization.
"She found an old folk songbook in a secondhand bookshop and spent the afternoon reading its lyrics."
"The choir director handed out a new songbook before rehearsal."
"The event's official songbook collected the songs performed during the festival."
The plural is formed by adding -s to songbook.
"The library has several songbooks about traditional music."
Before streaming made every song library portable, a songbook was a whole musical world on a bookshelf.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does songbook come from?
The word combines song and book, both of which have Germanic origins. Song developed from Old English song, related to the Old English verb singan, while book comes from Old English bōc, inherited from Proto-Germanic and ultimately connected with broader Germanic traditions of writing and bound leaves. The compound appeared in English in the 16th century and was initially used for collections of musical compositions.
How songbook is actually used
The term is common in British and American English. It usually suggests a printed or formal collection, though digital songbooks are now also common.
Easily confused with songbook
A songbook is the physical or digital collection itself, while a song is an individual musical composition.
A songbook emphasizes the written or printed collection of songs, whereas an album generally emphasizes recorded musical releases.