/ ˈkɔːrəs; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] part of a song that is sung after each verse
SYN refrain :
Everyone joined in the chorus.
2.
[ C ] a piece of music, usually part of a larger work, that is written for a choir (= a group of singers) :
the Hallelujah Chorus
3.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] (often in names) a large group of singers
SYN choir :
the Bath Festival Chorus
4.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] a group of performers who sing and dance in a musical show :
the chorus line (= a line of singers and dancers performing together)
5.
a ~ of sth [ sing. ] the sound of a lot of people expressing approval or disapproval at the same time :
a chorus of praise / complaint
a chorus of voices calling for her resignation
—see also dawn chorus
6.
[ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] ( in ancient Greek drama ) a group of performers who comment together on the events of the play
7.
[ sing. ] ( especially in 16th century drama ) an actor who speaks the opening and closing words of the play
•
IDIOMS
- in chorus
■ verb
to sing or say sth all together :
[ v speech ]
'Hello, Paul,' they chorused.
[also vn ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (denoting a character speaking the prologue of a play): from Latin , from Greek khoros .