singsong

[sing-sawng, -song]

noun

1. verse, or a piece of verse, that is monotonously jingly in rhythm and pattern of pitch.

2. monotonous rhythmical cadence, tone, or sound.

3. British.,  an unrehearsed singing of well-known songs by an audience or other informal, untrained group; a community sing.

adjective

1. monotonous in rhythm and in pitch.

singsong

/ ˈsɪŋˌsɒŋ /

noun

1. an accent, metre, or intonation that is characterized by an alternately rising and falling rhythm, as in a person's voice, piece of verse, etc

2. an informal session of singing, esp of popular or traditional songs

adjective

1. having a regular or monotonous rising and falling rhythm

   a singsong accent

Word History and Origins

Origin of singsong¹

First recorded in 1600–10; sing + song

Example Sentences

When feeling playful, Lady Constance liked to draw out her friend’s name in a singsong voice that started in a high pitch and dropped to a low one, and she did so now.

Read more on Literature

The conductor rang his bell up and down the aisle and called in his singsong voice, “Heathcote! Heathcote station will be next!”

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Once in jail he had to “share a bath with a bloke who was in for murder,” organizing “singsongs with other prisoners” until his lawyers arranged for his release.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“When I think about things, I kind of convert them into cartoon characters,” explained Shilling in her cheerful, singsong voice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I’d never heard a voice like hers — singsong, expressive, yet controlled.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• belt out 
• chant 
• croon 
• hum 
• intone 
• serenade 
• shout 
• wait 
• warble 
• whistle