hymn
gb/hˈɪm/ us/hˈɪm/
B2
English
~ 26700
egyházi ének, himnusz, óda, megénekel
NOUN
B2
1
egyházi ének
B1
himnusz
B1
Usage pattern:
to sing [a hymn]
The congregation stood to sing the final hymn.
A gyülekezet felállt, hogy elénekelje az utolsó egyházi éneket.
She chose her favorite hymn for the wedding ceremony.
Az esküvői szertartásra a kedvenc egyházi énekét választotta.
The choir practiced the new Easter hymn all week.
The sound of the hymn filled the small country church.
He remembers learning that hymn as a child in Sunday school.
Learner examples
We sang a hymn in church today.
Ma egy egyházi éneket énekeltünk a templomban.
The choir is learning a new hymn.
A kórus egy új egyházi éneket tanul.
This hymn is very old but still popular.
Everyone stood up for the last hymn.
I like the words of this hymn.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "hymn" with "anthem." A hymn is usually a religious song used in worship, while an anthem can be religious or secular and often refers to a song of loyalty (for example, a national anthem). Spelling can also be difficult: "hymn" is spelled with a silent "n" at the end.
Meaning
religious song of praise
Collocations
sing a hymn
|church hymn
|traditional hymn
|opening hymn
|closing hymn
|hymn book
Synonyms
psalm (Usually refers more specifically to biblical songs in the Book of Psalms, especially in Jewish and Christian traditions.)
|
anthem (Can be religious or secular; often refers to a formal song of praise or loyalty, such as a national song, not only used in worship.)
Antonyms
dirge (A slow, sad song of mourning, often for a funeral, contrasting with the usually joyful or reverent tone of a hymn.)
Themes
religion
|music
|tradition
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A religious song that people sing together to praise God or a god, especially in church or another place of worship.
A religious song or poem of praise, especially one sung by a group during a religious service.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
a hymn to [an idea/quality]
The documentary is a quiet hymn to ordinary working people.
A dokumentumfilm csendes óda a hétköznapi dolgozó emberekhez.
Her latest novel is a hymn to friendship and forgiveness.
Legújabb regénye óda a barátsághoz és a megbocsátáshoz.
The film feels like a hymn to the beauty of the sea.
His speech turned into a heartfelt hymn to democracy.
The photographer’s new book is a hymn to city life at night.
Learner examples
The movie is a hymn to nature.
A film óda a természethez.
Her poem is a hymn to true love.
A verse óda az igaz szerelemhez.
The book is a hymn to simple village life.
His song is a hymn to peace.
This photo series is a hymn to the city.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning always has a religious connection because of the main sense of "hymn." In this literary use, it often has no religious meaning and simply describes very strong praise for something like nature or freedom.
Meaning
work that strongly praises something
Collocations
a hymn to nature
|a hymn to freedom
|a hymn to love
|lyrical hymn
|a hymn of praise
|cinematic hymn
Synonyms
tribute (Broader and more general; can be any act, statement, or work that shows respect or admiration, not necessarily artistic or poetic in style.)
|
paean (Formal and literary; a song or piece of writing that expresses strong praise or happiness, similar but less common than this sense of "hymn.")
Antonyms
attack (A strong criticism of something, the opposite of a work that praises it.)
Themes
art
|emotions
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
A song, poem, or other artistic work that shows very strong love or praise for something, such as nature, freedom, or love.
A song, poem, film, or other piece of art or writing that strongly celebrates or praises a person, quality, or idea.
VERB
C2
LITERARY
3
megénekel
C1
Usage pattern:
to hymn [someone/something]
Poets have long hymned the beauty of the countryside.
A költők régóta megéneklik a vidék szépségét.
The writer hymns the bravery of the volunteers throughout the book.
Az író az egész könyvben megénekli az önkéntesek bátorságát.
Critics hymned the film as a masterpiece of modern cinema.
In his letters he hymned her kindness and generosity.
The play hymns the quiet heroism of nurses and carers.
Learner examples
Writers often hymn the beauty of nature.
Az írók gyakran megéneklik a természet szépségét.
The poet hymns his country in this long poem.
A költő ebben a hosszú versben megénekli a hazáját.
Many songs hymn the power of love.
In her book, she hymns the courage of young people.
They like to hymn their team after every win.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "hymn" as a verb in everyday speech, but this use is quite literary and rare in modern conversation. In most situations, "praise" or "celebrate" is more natural.
Meaning
to praise in hymns or song
Collocations
hymn [someone's] virtues
|hymn [the] praises of
|hymned in song
|poets hymned
|hymn the beauty of
Synonyms
praise (More general and common; does not specifically suggest singing or a hymn-like style.)
|
celebrate (Often used for praising or honoring something, but without the specifically religious or song-like feeling of "hymn.")
Antonyms
condemn (To strongly criticize something, the opposite of praising it in a hymn-like way.)
Themes
religion
|music
|literature
|communication
Definition
To praise someone or something in songs or in very formal, poetic words, like a hymn.
To sing or compose hymns, or to praise someone or something in a way that resembles a hymn.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hymn
IPA
GB/hˈɪm/
US/hˈɪm/
Syllables & stress
hymn (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hymn)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hymn
- Plural: hymns
Verb
- Base: hymn
- 3rd Person Singular: hymns
- Present Participle: hymning
- Past: hymned
Word family
Forms
hymns
noun
hymning
verb
hymned
verb
Core family
hymnal
noun
hymnbook
noun
Expressions
a hymn of praise
1/ə hˈɪm əv pɹˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
text that strongly praises
A speech, article, or other piece of writing that shows very strong praise for someone or something.
Examples
- His article is basically a hymn of praise to the new technology.
- The book reads like a hymn of praise to her hometown.
- The ceremony ended with a hymn of praise to the retiring founder.
sing from the same hymn sheet
1/sˈɪŋ fɹˈʌm ðə sˈeɪm hˈɪm ʃˈit/
idiom
informal
to share the same view
To say the same thing or support the same plan or idea as someone else, especially in public.
Examples
- Management and staff need to sing from the same hymn sheet if the changes are going to work.
- Politicians from all parties were suddenly singing from the same hymn sheet on climate policy.
- Our team will win this deal only if we all sing from the same hymn sheet during the presentation.