chime in
Britishverb
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to join in or interrupt (a conversation), esp repeatedly and unwelcomely
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to voice agreement
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Join in harmoniously or in unison, either literally (with music) or figuratively (joining a conversation to express agreement). For example, In this passage I want the altos to chime in with the tenors , or When Mary agreed, her sister chimed in that she'd join her . The literal usage was first recorded in 1681, the figurative in 1838.
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chime in with . Be in agreement or compatible with, as in His views chime in with the paper's editorial stance . [Early 1700s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the pop melody “Volveré,” she questions where her heart will remain once she leaves town, as muffled trumpets chime in at the outro.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
The resulting furor reached the level that “Saturday Night Live” felt the need to chime in over the weekend, pointing out that Chalamet was lobbing stones from inside a glass house.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2026
“We’ll start and the other ones just kind of chime in and get it down the line. It’s getting cooler and cooler.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026
“It makes sense to chime in and provide the facts and clarifications.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 26, 2025
Moss thought that Esperanza was going to chime in with a story or two of her own, but she still stood awkwardly off to the side.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
