intone

verb

in·​tone in-ˈtōn 

intoned; intoning

transitive verb

: to utter in musical or prolonged tones : recite in singing tones or in a monotone

intransitive verb

: to utter something in singing tones or in monotone

intoner noun

Synonyms

• chant
• sing

Examples of intone in a Sentence

“Coming soon to a theater near you,” the announcer intoned.

“The day is begun,” the narrator intoned

Recent Examples on the Web

Religious Jews interpret Talmudic teachings in the context of the rabbi who intoned them. —Nadav Ziv, Time, 23 Oct. 2025

In that respect, Stein’s notion of engagement is a guru’s formula for beatitude: settle on your mat and ignore your discomfort; empty your mind of its detritus; listen to my voice intoning a mantra; surrender to a higher power. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Eric-the-junkie had intoned to his even-then-passé parents, old-schoolers bent on building systems that would stick, that the monks were celebrating the ephemeral beauty of physical existence. —Literary Hub, 9 July 2025

Also still present: a recorded voice intoning a once-familiar message over a loudspeaker. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French entoner, from Medieval Latin intonare, from Latin in- + tonus tone

First Known Use

1513, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for intone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

intone

verb

in·​tone in-ˈtōn 

intoned; intoning

: to utter in musical or prolonged tones : chant

intoner noun