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hallelujah

hallelujah

1 6.9
A shouted or sung praise to God during religious worship
  • noun
  • /ˌhæl.əˈluː.jə/
  • Literature
: aleluya
  • My bills were paid to the end of the month—hallelujah!—and there was abundant junk food in the fridge.

It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah.

Examples

  • Many people raised their voices in hallelujah as they celebrated the arrival of the new year with hope and optimism.

  • Christmas was coming, and we were working on the Hallelujah Chorus.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Human spirits spend eternity there shouting hallelujah in chorus to their royal Father.

    Academic text (1996)
  • An evangelist saying hallelujah to the snow-covered morning.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • There had been a time, years ago, when the stained glass would have rattled with "Amen!" and "Hallelujah!" ringing throughout the sanctuary.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • After the difficult times they faced, the congregation erupted in hallelujah as the church was finally restored.

  • The choir sang hallelujah during the Easter service, filling the room with a sense of joy and gratitude.

Synonyms

psalm
vshallelujah
58 8.1

A sacred song from the Bible used in prayer

is often a brief spoken praise rather than a full sacred song
hurray
vshallelujah
32 2.6

A shout people make when they are happy or excited

is typically religious praise or song rather than a casual cheer
alleluia
vshallelujah
  • Literature
16 8.0

A short joyful shout used to praise, often in religious songs

is the same religious praise but also appears as sung lines
hosanna
vshallelujah
  • Literature
7 9.9

A loud cry of praise to God in religious services

also covers sung or longer worship expressions not only a shout
glory be
vshallelujah
  • Archaic
6 8.6

Words people say to show relief, joy or surprise

is focused more on direct praise or thanks to a deity
huzzah
vshallelujah
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A loud shout of joy or approval at a celebration

is used mainly to address a deity rather than general celebration
Hallel
vshallelujah
  • Formal
1 9.9

A Jewish song of praise using Psalms 113 to 118 sung on festivals like Passover

is a general worship shout or song rather than a fixed festival chant
alhamdulilah
vshallelujah
1 9.9

A short phrase people say to thank God or show relief

means the same praise but comes from a different religious tradition

Surface Forms

hallelujah singular
hallelujahs plural

Etymology

Hallelujah comes from the Hebrew parts halelu 'praise' and Yah 'God'. It originally meant 'praise God', which is why it is often sung or shouted in religious worship.