Song vs. Hymn — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Song and Hymn
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Definitions
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence.
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word hymn derives from Greek ὕμνος (hymnos), which means "a song of praise".
Song
A dynasty that ruled in China AD 960–1279.
Hymn
A song of praise or thanksgiving to God or a deity.
Song
A brief composition written or adapted for singing.
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Hymn
A song of praise or joy; a paean.
Song
The act or art of singing
Broke into song.
Hymn
To praise, glorify, or worship in or as if in a hymn.
Song
A distinctive or characteristic sound made by an animal, such as a bird or an insect.
Hymn
To sing hymns.
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Song
Poetry; verse.
Hymn
A song of praise or worship, especially a religious one.
Song
A lyric poem or ballad.
Hymn
(ambitransitive) To sing a hymn.
Song
A musical composition with lyrics for voice or voices, performed by singing.
Thomas listened to his favorite song on the radio yesterday.
Hymn
(transitive) To praise or extol in hymns.
Song
(by extension) Any musical composition.
Hymn
An ode or song of praise or adoration; especially, a religious ode, a sacred lyric; a song of praise or thanksgiving intended to be used in religious service; as, the Homeric hymns; Watts' hymns.
Admonishing one another in psalms and hymns.
Where angels first should practice hymns, and stringTheir tuneful harps.
Song
Poetical composition; poetry; verse.
Hymn
To praise in song; to worship or extol by singing hymns; to sing.
To hymn the bright of the Lord.
Their praise is hymned by loftier harps than mine.
Song
The act or art of singing.
Hymn
To sing in praise or adoration.
Song
A melodious sound made by a bird, insect, whale or other animal.
I love hearing the song of canary birds.
Hymn
A song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
Song
(ornithology) The distinctive sound that a male bird utters to attract a mate or to protect his territory; contrasts with call; also, similar vocalisations made by female birds.
Hymn
Sing a hymn
Song
A low price, especially one under the expected value; chiefly in for a song.
He bought that car for a song.
Hymn
Praise by singing a hymn;
They hymned their love of God
Song
An object of derision; a laughing stock.
Song
That which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of the voice, whether of a human being or of a bird, insect, etc.
Song
A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad.
Song
More generally, any poetical strain; a poem.
The bard that first adorned our native tongueTuned to his British lyre this ancient song.
Song
Poetical composition; poetry; verse.
This subject for heroic song.
Song
An object of derision; a laughingstock.
And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
Song
A trifle; an insignificant sum of money; as, he bought it for a song.
Song
A short musical composition with words;
A successful musical must have at least three good songs
Song
A distinctive or characteristic sound;
The song of bullets was in the air
The song of the wind
The wheels sang their song as the train rocketed ahead
Song
The act of singing;
With a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
Song
The characteristic sound produced by a bird;
A bird will not learn its song unless it hears it at an early age
Song
A very small sum;
He bought it for a song
Song
The imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
