hymn
hymn Lexical Profile
hymn Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A religious song or poem of praise, typically addressed to God or a deity.
"The congregation stood together to sing a traditional hymn before the sermon began."
A formal song, poem, or expression of praise, joy, or triumph.
"The director's latest documentary is a cinematic hymn to the beauty of the natural world."
• verb
To praise or celebrate by singing hymns (especially a deity).
"The choir hymned the heavens during the dawn service."
To express praise or adoration in a musical or poetic manner.
"The poets of the era continually hymned the virtues of romantic love."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often taught alongside its homophone 'him', 'hymn' specifically retains the silent 'n' from its Greek roots and refers exclusively to songs or expressions of praise.
• Rhymes for hymn
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'ymne', inherited from Old English 'ymen', which was derived from Latin 'hymnus', ultimately from the Greek 'hymnos' meaning 'a song of praise'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.