singsong

American  

[sing-sawng, -song] / ˈsɪŋˌsɔŋ, -ˌsɒŋ /

noun

1. verse, or a piece of verse, that is monotonously jingly in rhythm and pattern of pitch.

2. monotonous rhythmical cadence, tone, or sound.

3. British. an unrehearsed singing of well-known songs by an audience or other informal, untrained group; a community sing.

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adjective

1. monotonous in rhythm and in pitch.

singsong British  

/ ˈsɪŋˌsɒŋ /

noun

1. an accent, metre, or intonation that is characterized by an alternately rising and falling rhythm, as in a person's voice, piece of verse, etc

2. an informal session of singing, esp of popular or traditional songs

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adjective

1. having a regular or monotonous rising and falling rhythm

   a singsong accent

Etymology

Origin of singsong

First recorded in 1600–10; sing + song

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Explanation

Anything that's singsong has a musical sound. Kindergarten teachers are generally good at saying things like, "Everybody put your coats on for recess," in a singsong voice. A child will fall asleep easily listening to his dad's singsong reading of a bedtime story; and the singsong call of her master will catch a dog's attention at the dog park. Singsong means just what it sounds like, a rhythmic, chanting kind of almost-singing. In some parts of the world, it's also the same as a singalong, or group song. An earlier meaning, from the 17th century, was "a jingling ballad."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

singsong

For the Chargers, that singsong, taunting “Raiii-derrrs” chant will surely haunt their dreams.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026

He meets the younger singer on her turf: The track is a theatrical pop confection with a busy, singsong melody, and Mr. Smith’s ageless cracked moan makes him sound like an approving father figure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

But its pièce de résistance for Roffman was Caselotti herself, who was home that afternoon and happy to entertain strangers with her cherubic singsong cadence.

From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2025

A rabbi led a singsong chant calling for “no more war” and “cease-fire now” and offered a prayer for peace in Hebrew and English.

From New York Times ● Feb. 28, 2024

Chicho uses the word “ándale,” and his voice rises and falls in a singsong way that cheers you up.

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar

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Related Words

• belt out
• chant
• croon
• hum
• intone
• serenade
• shout
• wait
• warble
• whistle

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