singsong

American  

[sing-sawng, -song] / ˈsɪŋˌsɔŋ, -ˌsɒŋ /

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.

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adjective

1. monotonous in rhythm and in pitch.

singsong British  

/ 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

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adjective

1. having a regular or monotonous rising and falling rhythm

   a singsong accent

Etymology

Origin of singsong

First recorded in 1600–10; sing + song

Example Sentences

He is so many stages beyond the phase of life when I would speak to him in a singsong voice about patchwork elephants that it is laughable even to think of it.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From Literature

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

From Literature

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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