Choir vs. Quire: What's the Difference?

Choir refers to an organized group of singers, typically associated with a church or performance group, who sing together in harmony. Quire, on the other hand, is a term that can either refer to a collection of twenty-four or twenty-five sheets of paper or can be an archaic spelling of choir, now largely outdated and not commonly used. The primary context for choir is musical, while quire is used in the context of paper products.

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Choir vs. Quire

How do you use the word choir in a sentence?

Choir is most commonly used in reference to a group of singers, especially one that performs in a church service. It's also a term used for the area in a church where the choir sits. When using this word, the context of music, performance, or religious service is usually involved.
Examples of choir in a sentence
  • The school choir won first place at the regional singing competition.
  • Members of the church choir gathered for rehearsal every Thursday evening.
  • She always felt at peace singing in the choir, surrounded by harmonious voices.

How do you use the word quire in a sentence?

The word quire is utilized to describe a specific quantity of paper. Often found in the context of printing, publishing, or stationery, it is used when referring to the number of sheets bound together or as part of packaging. Not commonly used in everyday language, it is more prevalent in industries dealing with paper goods.
Examples of quire in a sentence
  • The printer asked for a quire of paper to test the new design drafts.
  • During the medieval era, a scribe would need several quires to copy a manuscript.
  • She purchased a quire of high-quality stationery for her calligraphy project.

Choir and quire definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation

Choir definition:
Choir is a noun that refers to a group of singers, especially one that performs in church services or public performances, singing in parts and often in harmony.

Choir parts of speech:
  • As a noun: The choir practices every Wednesday evening in the church hall.

Choir pronunciation:
Choir is pronounced as ky-er, with the 'ch' as a hard 'k' sound followed by a slight roll into the 'yer'.

Quire definition:
As a noun, quire refers to a quantity of paper, typically twenty-four or twenty-five sheets, or an archaic term for choir.

Quire parts of speech:
  • As a noun (paper): The stationery set includes a quire of letter-sized paper.

Quire pronunciation:
Quire is pronounced as kwye-er, which rhymes with 'buyer' or 'higher.'

Choir vs. quire in a nutshell

Choir and quire are terms with distinct meanings and usage in English. Choir is a musical term referring to a group of singers, commonly used in both religious and performance contexts. In contrast, quire refers to a measure of paper quantity, not typically used in daily conversation except in certain industries. Understanding the context and proper application of each term is essential to clear communication.

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