sing

sing

sing¹ [siŋ]

vi.

sang, sung, singing [ME singen < OE singan, akin to Ger singen < IE base * sengwh- > Gr omphē, a voice, oracle]

1.

a) to produce musical sounds or notes with the voice, esp. in a connected series, as in giving voice to a song

b) to perform musical selections vocally, esp. as a professional

2. to use song or verse in description, praise, etc. [of thee I sing]

3.

a) to make musical sounds like those made by the human voice, as a violin or songbird

b) to make a sound of whistling, buzzing, humming, etc., as a steaming teakettle, a bee, a strong wind, etc.

4. to have a sensation of ringing, humming, buzzing, etc., as the ears

5. to admit of being sung

6. to be exultant; rejoice [a sight to make one's heart sing]

7. Slang to confess to a crime, esp. so as to implicate others

vt.

1. to render or deliver (a song, musical role, etc.) by singing

2. to chant or intone (part of a church service, etc.)

3. to describe, proclaim, extol, celebrate, etc. in or as in song or verse [to sing someone's praises]

4. to bring to a given state or place by or with singing [to sing a baby to sleep]

n.

1. Informal singing by a group gathered for the purpose

2. such a gathering of people

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sing out

Informal to speak or call out loudly; shout

singable

adj.

sing²

abbrev.

singular