verb
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to pronounce or articulate (continuous connected speech) with a characteristic rise and fall of the voice
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a less common word for intone
Etymology
Origin of intonate
1785–95; < Medieval Latin intonātus, past participle of intonāre to intone. See -ate 1
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.
Solomon said in a singsong, the way people intonate when they are not quite convinced of what they are saying.
From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2022
They have this way they intonate their words.
From The Guardian • Aug. 17, 2010
"Ole Billie Bawlie" found as Number 4 was a little song which was used to deride men who had little ability musically to intonate "calls" and "sponses."
From Negro Folk Rhymes Wise and Otherwise: With a Study by Talley, Thomas Washington
"Nevertheless," observed Darby, with an air of ill-dissembled condescension, "if it isn't umbrageous to your honor, I 'll intonate something in the way of an ode or a canticle."
From Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume I by Lever, Charles James
Why did he not take up his last words, "Live in peace," and intonate the blessing?
From An Obscure Apostle A Dramatic Story by Soissons, C. S. de
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.
