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

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Explanation

Anything that's singsong has a musical sound. Kindergarten teachers are generally good at saying things like, "Everybody put your coats on for recess," in a singsong voice. A child will fall asleep easily listening to his dad's singsong reading of a bedtime story; and the singsong call of her master will catch a dog's attention at the dog park. Singsong means just what it sounds like, a rhythmic, chanting kind of almost-singing. In some parts of the world, it's also the same as a singalong, or group song. An earlier meaning, from the 17th century, was "a jingling ballad."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

singsong

And it all comes into your ears, on audio, in a grinding singsong that assigns no particular weight to any particular moment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2025

Spacious, ethereal and recorded at Metro Boomin’s house, the track’s disorienting, calliope-style melody and barely there drums leave an open gulf for ILoveMakonnen’s singsong vocal to shine.

From New York Times ● Mar. 28, 2024

Designed to unite parishioners stuck at home during Covid lockdown, his "a tipple and a singsong" idea took off and attracted worshippers as far away as Brazil.

From BBC ● Nov. 30, 2023

“Well, let’s just see about it, shall we?” she said, followed shortly by a singsong call of, “Feral, where are you?”

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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Related Words

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

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