Difference Between Choir and Chorus Explained Simply

Understanding the Difference: Choir vs. Chorus

Do you wonder what “choir” and “chorus” mean? They are both about singing, but their use is a little different. Let’s learn about these words, their history, how to use them, and a small trick to remember the difference.

The History of “Choir” and “Chorus”

Choir: The word “choir” comes from an old French word “quer” and a Latin word “chorus.” Over time, it became “choir” in English. It means a group of people who sing together, often in a church.

Chorus: The word “chorus” also comes from Latin. It first meant a group of performers singing or saying something in a play, like in ancient Greek theater.

How to Use “Choir” and “Chorus”

Using “Choir”

• The choir sings every Sunday at church.
• My sister joined the school choir last year.
• The choir practiced for the big concert.
• She loves listening to the children’s choir.
• Our city has a famous choir that performs around the world.

Using “Chorus”

• The play had a chorus that danced and sang on stage.
• We all sang the chorus of the song together.
• The Greek chorus explained the story to the audience.
• The chorus in the musical was very lively and fun.
• His favorite part of the song is the chorus.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here’s a simple trick: Think of choir as the group that often sings at events like church or school. Use chorus when talking about the part of a song everyone sings or a group in a play that sings together.

Summary

In short, both “choir” and “chorus” relate to singing, but a choir is a group that sings together, usually as part of a formal setting like a church. A chorus can refer to a part of a song or a group of people singing in a show or play. Remembering these small differences can help you use each word correctly!