noun / adjective
hymnal
HIM-nul/hˈɪmnʌl/
Of religious songs used in worship.
The open book contains hymnal music arranged on short staves.
Etymology
The Latin hymnale already named a hymn-book, drawing its name from hymnus, “song of praise.” The English noun likewise denotes the collection containing the songs, rather than an individual song.
In context
song number 180 in our sda hymnal
More examples
- Please return the hymnals to the rack after the service.
- This hymnal includes several songs I learned as a child.
- The service combines hymnal music with readings from the Bible.
Forms
hymnal · hymnals
hymn noun — A religious song of praise.
Similar words
- songbook
- A broader term for collections of songs, religious or secular.
- hymnbook
- Specifically names the book, without the adjective use of hymnal.