croon

[kroon]

See more synonyms for croon on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to sing or hum in a soft, soothing voice: to croon to a baby.
to sing in an evenly modulated, slightly exaggerated manner: Popular singers began crooning in the 1930s.
to utter a low murmuring sound.

Scot. and North England.
1. to bellow; low.
2. to lament; mourn.

verb (used with object)

to sing (a song) in a crooning manner.
to lull by singing or humming to in a soft, soothing voice: to croon a child to sleep.

noun

the act or sound of crooning.

Origin of croon

1350–1400; Middle English cronen < Middle Dutch: to lament

Related formscroon·er, nouncroon·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for croon

hum, murmur, wail, roar, bellow, lull

Examples from the Web for croon

Contemporary Examples of croon

“I love the buttery crust, but I love the meat just as much,” they croon.
‘We Can’t Stop’ a Cappella, Coffee Shop Telekinesis & More Viral Videos
Natasha Bach
October 13, 2013
He even enlists Mary J. Blige to croon an emotional bridge about how much he loves Mothah Killah.
Seven Best Rap Songs About Moms for Mother’s Day (VIDEO)
Kevin Fallon
May 12, 2013
Vidal smiled and began to croon the song softly into my ear.
Remembering the Surprisingly Vulnerable Gore Vidal
Lee Siegel
August 1, 2012
Alicia Keyes and John Legend will croon, while Cameron Diaz, Forest Whitaker, Salma Hayek and Lucy Liu add sparkle.
Al Gore Speaks, Colbert Sings and Other TV Highlights
Nicole Ankowski
November 23, 2008

Historical Examples of croon

And croon they did through the long crowded way to Covent Garden.
The Coryston Family
Mrs. Humphry Ward
Then she began to croon to it, swinging it gently from side to side.
In Court and Kampong
Hugh Clifford
The croon of the old lady thrummed in his ears with endless repetition.
The Blind Spot
Austin Hall
Wake, then, if you may not sleep, but only to watch the moon rising and hear the croon of the sea.
The Debatable Land
Arthur Colton
Sometimes there was a croon in the voice, sometimes a touch of decrepit anger.
The Hill of Venus
Nathan Gallizier

British Dictionary definitions for croon

croon

verb

to sing or speak in a soft low tone

noun

a soft low singing or humming

Derived Formscrooner, noun

Word Origin for croon

C14: via Middle Dutch crōnen to groan; compare Old High German chrōnan to chatter, Latin gingrīre to cackle (of geese)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for croon

c.1400, originally Scottish, from Middle Dutch kronen "to lament, mourn," perhaps imitative. Originally "to bellow like a bull" as well as "to utter a low, murmuring sound" (mid-15c.). Popularized by Robert Burns. Sense evolved to "lament," then to "sing softly and sadly." Related: Crooned; crooning.