sing

1 of 2

verb

ˈsiŋ 

sang ˈsaŋ  or sung ˈsəŋ  ; sung; singing ˈsiŋ-iŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to produce musical tones by means of the voice

b

: to utter words in musical tones and with musical inflections and modulations

c

: to deliver songs as a trained or professional singer

2

: to make a shrill whining or whistling sound

3

a

: to relate or celebrate something in verse

b

: to compose poetry

c

: to create in or through words a feeling or sense of song

prose that sings

4

: to produce musical or harmonious sounds

birds singing

5

: buzz, ring

6

: to make a cry : call

7

: to give information or evidence

transitive verb

1

: to utter with musical inflections

especially : to interpret in musical tones produced by the voice

2

: to relate or celebrate in verse

3

: chant, intone

4

: to bring or accompany to a place or state by singing

sings the child to sleep

singable

ˈsiŋ-ə-bəl 

adjective

sing

2 of 2

noun

: a session of group singing

Synonyms

Verb

• carol
• chant
• descant
• vocalize

Examples of sing in a Sentence

Verb

She sings in the choir.

The children danced and sang.

He sang softly to the baby.

She's a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too.

We all stood and sang the national anthem.

I can't sing the high notes.

Do you hear the birds singing?

The kettle sang on the stove.

The bullet sang past his helmet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Jupiter can be seen sitting in front of the recording microphone with large black headphones on as her mom gives her words to speak and sings a song with her. —Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

While one loudly sang hymns to a cut-out of Prime Minister Modi in front of TV cameras, the mood was relatively somber. —Diaa Hadid, NPR, 4 June 2024

Noun

In this iconic scene, the two sing and dance in matching shoes to the backdrop of a beautiful Los Angeles sky. —Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024

The Oscar-winner sings, fights zombies, and almost punches a baby in EW's roundup of her best roles. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English singan; akin to Old High German singan to sing, Greek omphē voice

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sing

• sing a different tune
• sing-along
• sing of
• sing out
• sing/play lead
• sing someone's/something's praises
• sing the praises of (someone/something)

Kids Definition

sing

1 of 2 verb

ˈsiŋ 

sang ˈsaŋ  or sung ˈsəŋ  ; sung; singing ˈsiŋ-iŋ 

1

a

: to produce musical sounds by means of the voice

b

: to utter with musical sounds

sing a song

c

: chant entry 1 sense 2, intone

parts of the mass were sung

2

: to make pleasing musical sounds

birds singing at dawn

3

: to make a slight shrill sound

a kettle singing on the stove

4

: to express enthusiastically

sing the praises of life in the city

5

: buzz entry 1 sense 1, ring

ears singing from the sudden descent

6

: to affect or bring to a place or state by singing

sing a baby to sleep

sing the blues away

7

: to call aloud : cry out

sing out when you find them

singable

ˈsiŋ-ə-bəl 

adjective

sing

2 of 2 noun

: a session of group singing