# anthem

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈæn.θəm/ · frequency rank #8,118

## Definitions
1. Antiphon.
2. A choral or vocal composition, often with a religious or political lyric.
3. A hymn of praise or loyalty.
4. A very popular song or track.

## Etymology
From Middle English anteme, from Old English antefn, antefen and Old French antiene, anteine, anteivne, from Latin antiphōna, from Ancient Greek ἀντίφωνα (antíphōna), from ἀντί (antí, “over against”) + φωνή (phōnḗ, “voice, sound”). Doublet of antiphon.

## Easily confused with
- **Antrim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anthem-vs-antrim)
- **antler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anthem-vs-antler)
- **anthems** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anthem-vs-anthems)
- **ante** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ante-vs-anthem)
- **ahem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ahem-vs-anthem)
- **aether** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aether-vs-anthem)
- **althea** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/althea-vs-anthem)
- **another** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/another-vs-anthem)
- **Anaheim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anaheim-vs-anthem)
- **anathema** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anathema-vs-anthem)

## Common misspellings (9)
`anhtem`, `annthem`, `antehm`, `anthemm`, `anthhem`, `anthme`, `antthem`, `atnhem`, `nathem`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/anthem