chant
chant — noun
- chantsingular
- chantsplural
1. a short stretch of words that many people repeat together in a steady, loud rhyt
a short stretch of words that many people repeat together in a steady, loud rhythm, often at a protest or sports event to express shared feelings or demands
Protesters began a loud chant of 'No justice' as they marched past city hall.
chant + of + quoted slogan for protest contexts
Fans at the stadium broke into a rhythmic chant that echoed around the stands.
A familiar chant rose from the back of the hall when the candidate mentioned taxes.
The crowd's chant grew louder when the governor walked onto the stage to speak.
文法句型
chant + of + quoted phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' and a quoted slogan (e.g., 'a chant of “We Shall Overcome”'). Frequently used in the singular even when the group is large, as the focus is on the unified utterance.
常見錯誤
2. a simple, slow form of singing used during religious ceremonies, where most syll
a simple, slow form of singing used during religious ceremonies, where most syllables fall on a single note and the melody moves within a narrow range of pitches
The monks sang a beautiful Gregorian chant during the evening service at the old abbey.
compound: Gregorian chant — best-known type
A quiet chant echoed through the temple as worshippers knelt in prayer before the altar.
The choir practiced the ancient chant for weeks until every voice blended together seamlessly.
Father Miguel led the congregation in a slow chant during the candlelit Easter ceremony.
文法句型
chant as a style/music genre (uncountable)
用法筆記
Common in religious contexts; frequently paired with 'Gregorian' or 'monastic'. Can be used as an uncountable noun when referring to this style of singing in general (e.g., 'the beauty of chant').
常見錯誤
chant — verb
- chantpresent simple I / you / we / they
- chants3rd person singular
- chanting-ing form
- chantedpast simple
1. to shout or sing a word, phrase, or name many times in a steady, rhythmic way, u
to shout or sing a word, phrase, or name many times in a steady, rhythmic way, usually together with other people as a group
Hundreds of nurses chanted for better wages and safer working conditions outside the hospital.
chant + for + [cause] — used in protest contexts
The students chanted the school motto during the opening ceremony of the sports day.
transitive: chant + [phrase]
Diego's teammates chanted his name when he scored the winning goal in the final minute.
The children chanted their multiplication tables every morning until everyone remembered them.
文法句型
chant + noun phrase (slogan/name)
chant + for + cause
chant + (that-clause) (rare)
用法筆記
Usually describes group activity. The object is typically a short phrase, slogan, name, or repeated words. Also commonly used intransitively: 'The crowd was chanting.' Distinguish from verb sense 2, which has a calm, devotional tone rather than loud shouting.
常見錯誤
2. to perform a sacred text aloud in a slow, steady, single-pitch style, usually as
to perform a sacred text aloud in a slow, steady, single-pitch style, usually as part of a religious service or worship ceremony
The priest chanted the evening prayers as the congregation listened in silence before the altar.
transitive: chant + [religious text] in liturgical contexts
Buddhist monks chanted sutras in a low, steady voice at the temple every dawn.
Nuns at the convent chant psalms together before sunrise each day.
Rabbi Cohen chanted the Torah portion during the Sabbath service at the synagogue.
文法句型
chant + noun phrase (prayer/psalm/sutra)
用法筆記
The object is almost always a religious text (prayer, psalm, sutra, scripture passage). Unlike verb sense 1, this sense implies a calm, melodic, and devotional tone rather than loud shouting. Frequently used in passive constructions ('The psalm was chanted by the choir').