choir-boy

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A "choir-boy" is a boy who sings in a church choir, typically as part of a religious service or ceremonial event. This role often involves wearing special robes and performing hymns or chants.

Usage Examples

• (A boy participating in a church choir during a service.)
• (A boy rehearsing with a choir group.)

Advanced Usage

• "choir-boy image": a metaphorical phrase describing someone who appears innocent, pure, or naive, often used in contexts of political or social critique.
  • The politician tried to maintain a choir-boy image, but his past scandals contradicted that. (He attempted to seem morally clean, like a young church singer.)

Variants and Related Words

• Choir (n): a group of singers, especially in a church or school.
  • The choir performed a beautiful piece at the concert. (The singing group executed a musical work.)
• Choir-girl (n): a girl who sings in a choir, analogous to a choir-boy.
  • The choir-girl wore a white robe and sang soprano. (A female member of a choir.)
• Choirboy (n): an alternate spelling without the hyphen, meaning the same as choir-boy.
  • He was a choirboy for five years before his voice changed. (He served as a young male choir singer.)

Synonyms

• Altar boy: a boy who assists the priest during church services, often distinct from singing.
  • The altar boy lit the candles before the service. (A church assistant, not necessarily a singer.)
• Cantor: a person who leads the singing in a church or synagogue, typically an adult.
  • The cantor led the congregation in the psalm. (A singing leader.)

Related Idioms

• "Sing like a choir-boy": to sing with a pure, high-pitched, or angelic voice.
  • She can sing like a choir-boy, with a clear and sweet tone. (Her voice resembles that of a young male choir singer.)