Sing

Pronunciation

• enPR: sÄ­ng, IPA: /sɪŋ/
• US enPR: sÄ“ng, IPA: /siːŋ/
• Rhymes: -ɪŋ

Origin

From Middle English singen, from Old English singan 'to sing, recite', from Proto-Germanic *singwaną (compare West Frisian sjonge, Low German singen, Dutch zingen, German singen, Danish synge, Swedish sjunga), from Proto-Indo-European *sengʷh- (compare Middle Welsh deongl ("to explain"), Ancient Greek ὁμφή (omphḗ, "voice, oracle"), Prakrit saṃghai 'to say, teach').

Full definition of sing

Verb

1. (intransitive) To produce musical or harmonious sounds with one’s voice."I really want to sing in the school choir." said Vera.
2. (transitive) To express audibly by means of a harmonious vocalization.
• In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.
3. (transitive) To soothe with singing.to sing somebody to sleep
4. (intransitive, slang) To confess under interrogation.
5. To make a small, shrill sound.The air sings in passing through a crevice.
• Alexander PopeO'er his head the flying spear
  Sang innocent, and spent its force in air.
6. To relate in verse; to celebrate in poetry.
• PriorBid her ... sing
  Of human hope by cross event destroyed.

Derived terms

Related terms

• song

Noun

1. A gathering for the purpose of singing songs.

Anagrams

• gins, ings, nigs, sign, snig