croon

American  

[kroon] / krun /

verb (used without object)

1. to sing or hum in a soft, soothing voice.

   to croon to a baby.

2. to sing in an evenly modulated, slightly exaggerated manner.

   Popular singers began crooning in the 1930s.

3. to utter a low murmuring sound.

4. Scot. and North England.

   1. to bellow; low.

   2. to lament; mourn.

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verb (used with object)

1. to sing (a song) in a crooning manner.

2. to lull by singing or humming to in a soft, soothing voice.

   to croon a child to sleep.

noun

1. the act or sound of crooning.

croon British  

/ kruːn /

verb

1. to sing or speak in a soft low tone

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noun

1. a soft low singing or humming

Other Word Forms

• crooner noun
• crooningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of croon

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cronen, from Middle Dutch: “to lament”

Example Sentences

As Brothers crooned his own tribute, he closed his eyes, as though praying.

From Los Angeles Times

Hearing Nat King Cole croon about chestnuts roasting on an open fire dozens of times is one of the many reminders that fireplaces are luxuries most of us don’t have.

From Salon

As I crooned “I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive” along with Hank Williams, I added a little yodel.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Just imagine how lovely it will be when it blossoms,” she crooned.

From Literature

TVs across the state blared what became known as the “banjo ad,” in which a country singer crooned that Newby would bring “justice tough but fair.”

From Salon

Related Words

• hum
• murmur
• wail