Definition

1. Noun:

   • A song of praise, typically to God, a saint, or a nation, often used in religious worship.
   • A formal or solemn song expressing devotion, thanksgiving, or celebration.

2. Verb:

   • To praise or celebrate by singing a hymn.
   • To express praise or joy in a manner resembling a hymn.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • The congregation stood to sing the opening hymn.
  • "Amazing Grace" is a well-known Christian hymn.
  • The poet wrote a hymn to the beauty of nature.

• Verb:

  • The choir hymned the glory of the divine.
  • The poets hymned the nation's heroes in their verses.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "To hymn the praises of": To praise someone or something enthusiastically and publicly.
  • The critics hymned the praises of the young director's first film.

Variants and Related Words

• Hymnal (n): A book containing a collection of hymns.
  • She took a hymnal from the pew.
• Hymnody (n): The singing or composition of hymns; a body of hymns.
  • The study of medieval hymnody is fascinating.
• Hymnist (n): A writer of hymns.
  • Isaac Watts was a famous hymnist.

Synonyms

• Noun: Psalm, canticle, anthem, paean, chorale.
• Verb: Extol, laud, celebrate, glorify, sing the praises of.

Related Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "A hymn to something": An enthusiastic expression of praise for something.
  • His latest novel is a hymn to the resilience of the human spirit.

Noun

1. a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)

Verb

1. praise by singing a hymn
   • They hymned their love of God
2. sing a hymn