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• singer
  singer

  noun

  a person who sings, especially a trained or professional vocalist.
• Singer
  Singer

  noun

  Isaac Bashevis 1904–91, U.S. novelist and short-story writer (in Yiddish), born in Poland: Nobel Prize 1978.

singer

¹ American  

[sing-er] / ˈsɪŋ ər /

noun

1. a person who sings, especially a trained or professional vocalist.

2. a poet.

3. a singing bird.

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singer ² American  

[sin-jer] / ˈsɪn dʒər /

noun

1. a person or thing that singes.

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Singer ³ American  

[sing-er] / ˈsɪŋ ər /

noun

1. Isaac Bashevis 1904–91, U.S. novelist and short-story writer (in Yiddish), born in Poland: Nobel Prize 1978.

2. Isaac Merrit 1811–75, U.S. inventor.

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singer ¹ British  

/ ˈsɪŋə /

noun

1. a person who sings, esp one who earns a living by singing

2. a singing bird

3. an obsolete word for poet

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Singer ² British  

/ ˈsɪŋə /

noun

1. Isaac Bashevis. 1904–91, US writer of Yiddish novels and short stories; born in Poland. His works include Satan in Goray (1935), The Family Moscat (1950), the autobiographical In my Father's Court (1966), and The King of the Fields (1989): Nobel prize for literature 1978

2. Isaac Merrit. 1811–75, US inventor, who originated and developed an improved chain-stitch sewing machine (1852)

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Etymology

Origin of singer¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at sing, -er ¹

Origin of singer²

First recorded in 1870–75; singe + -er ¹

Explanation

A singer makes music with their voice. A singer may sing the lyrics, or words, of a song, or may just vocalize sounds like "la, la, la" or "tweet, tweet, tweet" in musical tones. Singing is one of the oldest forms of musical expression. A singer may perform on stage for thousands of adoring fans, or for guests at an intimate wedding reception. Perhaps you are a singer who likes to sing in the shower or croon along with a recording of your favorite artist. There are pop singers, rock singers, and opera singers. Some singers have high-pitched, soprano voices, while others sing in lower-pitched, tenor voices. Many birds, known as songbirds, are singers, and so are some whales!

Example Sentences

Li Jun Li who plays singer Cat Hardy, thinks from the perspective of the writing, it's created a "whole new way" of doing things.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

He made his initial recordings in 1949 — first with singer Babs Gonzalez, then with pianist Bud Powell and trombonist Johnson.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

The singer also made good use out of her space bedrooms, with one utilized as a music room, complete with a funky patterned couch, a keyboard, and a drum kit.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Mia Doi Todd, musician and singer: Miles Davis was such an outstanding band leader, bringing together a group of musicians and seeking to break the boundaries.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

Once, in Minneapolis, a celebrated lady opera singer got very much annoyed when she heard that the Popper Penguins were to appear on the same program.

From "Mr. Popper's Penguins" by Florence Atwater and Richard Atwater

Related Words

• artist
• crooner
• diva
• musician
• soloist
• vocalist
• voice