speak-sing

American  

[speek-sing] / ˈspikˈsɪŋ /

verb (used with object)

speak-sang, speak-sung, speak-singing

1. to perform (a piece of music) in a voice that is midway between speaking and singing.

---

verb (used without object)

speak-sang, speak-sung, speak-singing

1. to perform a piece of music in a voice that is midway between speakingand singing.

Other Word Forms

• speak-singer noun
• speak-singing noun

Example Sentences

That feat reflected both the record’s originality and Dry Cleaning’s position at the forefront of the “speak-sing” movement: a trend that encompasses groups like Yard Act, Wet Leg and Black Country, New Road who have little in common besides vocalists who incant barbed social commentary rather than sing.

From New York Times

“She’s brilliant, she really reminds me of myself!” said Jason Williamson, the vocalist in Sleaford Mods, widely regarded as the progenitor of the current wave of British speak-sing groups.

From New York Times

On the down side, the only singing she gets to do is courtesy of a plot gimmick — Rachel discovers that she can communicate with her infected lover only if they speak-sing to each other — that’s more maddening than it is amusing.

From New York Times

Gaga’s decision to speak-sing more, in her captivating lower register.

From New York Times

His voice was a barrier to entry for some — “All my favorite singers couldn’t sing” was one of his most quotable lines, and it was often tossed back in his direction as a form of praise for his rumbling manner of speak-sing — but was the perfect delivery system for oracle-like transmissions that would materialize every few years.

From Washington Post