CHORUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does chorus mean? 

• CHORUS (noun)
  The noun CHORUS has 5 senses:

1. any utterance produced simultaneously by a group

2. a group of people assembled to sing together

3. the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers

4. a body of dancers or singers who perform together

5. a company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play

  Familiarity information: CHORUS used as a noun is common.

• CHORUS (verb)
  The verb CHORUS has 2 senses:

1. utter in unison

2. sing in a choir

  Familiarity information: CHORUS used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CHORUS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any utterance produced simultaneously by a group

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

a chorus of boos

Hypernyms ("chorus" is a kind of...):

sound (the sudden occurrence of an audible event)

Derivation:

choral (related to or written for or performed by a chorus or choir)

chorus (utter in unison)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A group of people assembled to sing together

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("chorus" is a kind of...):

musical group; musical organisation; musical organization (an organization of musicians who perform together)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chorus"):

choir (a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony)

Derivation:

choral (related to or written for or performed by a chorus or choir)

chorus (sing in a choir)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

chorus; refrain

Hypernyms ("chorus" is a kind of...):

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chorus"):

tra-la; tra-la-la (a set of nonsensical syllables used while humming a refrain)

Holonyms ("chorus" is a part of...):

song; vocal (a short musical composition with words)

Derivation:

chorus (sing in a choir)

choral (related to or written for or performed by a chorus or choir)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A body of dancers or singers who perform together

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

chorus; chorus line

Hypernyms ("chorus" is a kind of...):

line (a formation of people or things one beside another)

Meronyms (members of "chorus"):

chorine; chorus girl; showgirl (a woman who dances in a chorus line)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chorus"):

corps de ballet; ensemble (the chorus of a ballet company)

Derivation:

choral (related to or written for or performed by a chorus or choir)

chorus (sing in a choir)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

chorus; Greek chorus

Hypernyms ("chorus" is a kind of...):

company; troupe (organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical))

Domain category:

singing; vocalizing (the act of singing vocal music)

Derivation:

chorus (sing in a choir)

chorus (utter in unison)

choric (relating to or written for or in the style of a Greek chorus)

• CHORUS (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they chorus    ... he / she / it choruses   
Past simple: chorused   
Past participle: chorused   
-ing form: chorusing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Utter in unison

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

'yes,' the children chorused

Hypernyms (to "chorus" is one way to...):

emit; let loose; let out; utter (express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

chorus (any utterance produced simultaneously by a group)

chorus (a company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Sing in a choir

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

choir; chorus

Hypernyms (to "chorus" is one way to...):

sing (produce tones with the voice)

Domain category:

music (musical activity (singing or whistling etc.))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue chorus

Derivation:

chorus (the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers)

chorus (a group of people assembled to sing together)

chorus (a company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play)

chorus (a body of dancers or singers who perform together)

 Context examples 

Then, amongst a chorus of screams from the peasants and a universal crossing of themselves, a calèche, with four horses, drove up behind us, overtook us, and drew up beside the coach.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The wolves swung in behind, yelping in chorus.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

He sneaked back into his cell, amidst a little chorus of approbation; and both Traddles and I experienced a great relief when he was locked in.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"We will!" cried all the mice, in a shrill chorus.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Known as whistler mode chorus, these waves are created by fluctuating electric and magnetic fields.

(FIREBIRD II and NASA Mission Locate Whistling Space Electrons’ Origins, NASA)

I seem to hear a hundred trumpets, all calling in chorus.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Dear me! said he, turning over the pages, what a chorus of groans, cries, and bleatings!

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Even at that exciting moment it carried me back to the old Admiral Benbow in a second, and I seemed to hear the voice of the captain piping in the chorus.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The noises grew indistinct, though I heard a final and despairing chorus of screams in the distance, and knew that the Martinez had gone down.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"The Blessed Wolf!" chorused the women.

(White Fang, by Jack London)