sing

¹sing

verb \ˈsiŋ\

sang \ˈsaŋ\ or sung \ˈsəŋ\ sungsing·ing \ˈsiŋ-iŋ\

Definition of SING

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>

— sing·able \ˈsiŋ-ə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of SING

1. She sings in the choir.
2. The children danced and sang.
3. He sang softly to the baby.
4. She's a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too.
5. We all stood and sang the national anthem.
6. I can't sing the high notes.
7. Do you hear the birds singing?
8. The kettle sang on the stove.
9. The bullet sang past his helmet.

Origin of SING

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SING

Synonyms

carol, chant, descant, vocalize

Related Words

belt, croon, harmonize, hum, lilt, quaver, scat, sharp, slur, trill, troll, warble, yodel; serenade

Rhymes with SING

bring, Ching, cling, ding, fling, king, ling, Ming, ping, ring, sling, spring, sting, string, swing, thing, wing, wring, zing

²sing

noun

Definition of SING

: a session of group singing

First Known Use of SING

1850

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue