hymn

[ him ]

noun

1. a song or ode in praise or honor of God, a deity, a nation, etc.

   Synonyms: paean, psalm, anthem

2. something resembling this, as a speech, essay, or book in praise of someone or something.

verb (used with object)

1. to praise or celebrate in a hymn; express in a hymn.

verb (used without object)

1. to sing hymns.

hymn

/ ˈhɪmnɪk; hɪm /

noun

1. a Christian song of praise sung to God or a saint
2. a similar song praising other gods, a nation, etc

verb

1. to express (praises, thanks, etc) by singing hymns

Derived Forms

• hymnic, adjective
• ˈhymnˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• hymn·er [him, -er, -ner], noun
• hymnlike adjective
• un·hymned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymn¹

before 1000; < Latin hymnus < Greek hýmnos song in praise of gods or heroes; replacing Middle English ymne (< Old French ) and Old English ymn (< Late Latin ymnus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymn¹

C13: from Latin hymnus, from Greek humnos

Example Sentences

She offered hymns and moments of silence, and said she “wanted to bring flowers” to the old mummy.

From Popular-Science

Even at the age of 107, Fletcher can still hear the sound of her mother and siblings singing, the melody of “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and other gospel hymns reverberating through the halls of their home.

From Time

He sits cross-legged on the boat and chants hymns, drops some flowers and pours milk on the surface of the Ganges.

From Ozy

Facing the rising sun, he performs some yogic and breathing exercises before finally entering the water chanting hymns in Sanskrit for his ritual dip.

From Ozy

It played the first notes of Amazing Grace, a hymn and a political declaration alike that stands as a testimonial for forgiveness and redemption.

From Time

The closest she got to a religious hymn was her father's recurring phrase: "That's a great line, write it down."

From The Daily Beast

He was so gifted that he could have won any hymn-singing competition, so he never bothered to enter them.

From The Daily Beast

There a professional choir had assembled, repeatedly singing the hymn “Hallelujah” a cappella.

From The Daily Beast

This whimsical story was based on a hymn that she recorded for a CD years ago.

From The Daily Beast

For more on her latest book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother , visit amychua.com.

From The Daily Beast

But at last, as he was on the point of dropping asleep, Madame Torvestad proposed that they should conclude with a hymn.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as the hymn was finished, the daughters of the house brought in tea and bread and butter.

From Project Gutenberg

La Source composed a beautiful hymn, adapted to a sweet and solemn air, which they called their evening service.

From Project Gutenberg

But when he had finished, Sivert Jespersen, with a cringing smile, said: "I think now we had better sing a hymn."

From Project Gutenberg

Nobody ventured to touch the dessert, and, after the hymn, the old dyer read a grace after meat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chant
• ditty
• oratorio
• paean
• psalm