croon

[ kroon ]

verb (used without object)

1. to sing or hum in a soft, soothing voice:

   to croon to a baby.

2. to sing in an evenly modulated, slightly exaggerated manner:

   Popular singers began crooning in the 1930s.

3. to utter a low murmuring sound.
4. Scot. and North England.
   1. to bellow; low.
   2. to lament; mourn.

verb (used with object)

1. to sing (a song) in a crooning manner.
2. to lull by singing or humming to in a soft, soothing voice:

   to croon a child to sleep.

noun

1. the act or sound of crooning.

croon

/ kruːn /

verb

1. to sing or speak in a soft low tone

noun

1. a soft low singing or humming

Derived Forms

• ˈcrooner, noun

Other Words From

• croon·er noun
• croon·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of croon¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cronen, from Middle Dutch: “to lament”

Word History and Origins

Origin of croon¹

C14: via Middle Dutch crōnen to groan; compare Old High German chrōnan to chatter, Latin gingrīre to cackle (of geese)

Example Sentences

I could listen to Jackson croon “Song on the Sand” and “Look Over There” on an eternal loop.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet to their elders, the souped-up noise was not any type of karaoke songs they would ever croon.

From Los Angeles Times

Jelly Roll, a white artist embraced by country radio and hip-hop culture, croons the yearning chorus like he’s addressing a coalition – one the “new” Democratic Party hopes to appeal to.

From Salon

Since then he’s collaborated with producers Blake Mills and Raphael Saadiq on albums that brought varied framings to his polished croon.

From Los Angeles Times

In her first music video, filmed in a courtroom, she wore a hot pink pantsuit and crooned: “Good morning, judge, please give me the floor. I have come to defend a broken heart.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hum
• murmur
• wail