anthem
AN-thuhm
/ˈænθəm/
A rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause; specifically, a national song.
In sports, it is the song played to honor the gold medalist's country.
The story behind the word. From the Greek 'antiphona,' meaning 'sounding back' or 'alternate chant.' It originally referred to a style of singing where two choirs would answer each other. It eventually came to mean a song of praise or loyalty.
Word relationships
- hymn: A hymn is specifically a religious song; an anthem is more often secular or national.
Commonly confused with
- ballad: A ballad is a slow, narrative song; an anthem is usually uplifting and communal.
Word family
- anthemic (adjective): having the qualities of an anthem
Collocations
- national anthem
- sing the anthem
- stadium anthem
- rock anthem
Example sentences
- "The stadium fell silent as the national anthem of the winning athlete began to play." Victory ceremony.
- "The song became an anthem for a generation of civil rights activists." Cultural impact.
Memory hook
An 'anthem' is a song that 'them' (the people) sing together. Anthem = A National Theme.
When not to use
Don't use it for just any popular song; it must have a symbolic or representative quality.
Fun facts
- The Olympic Anthem was composed by Spyridon Samaras and has been played at every Opening Ceremony since 1960.
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