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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Kristofferson never sounded more like Leonard Cohen than he did here, rhapsodizing in a parched croon about a woman’s redeeming devotion as producer Fred Foster ladles on just the right amount of easy-listening schmaltz.

From Los Angeles Times

Shaboozey brought a regal, trap-infused croon to the banger “Spaghettii,” and a nimble R&B run to “Sweet Honey Buckiin’,” each highlights of an album bearing witness to a Black culture intertwined with American cowboy archetypes.

From Los Angeles Times

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

“I lost control of the wheel,” Matt, 40, sings on the deceptively breezy-sounding title track in his hoarse croon.

From New York Times

Related Words

• hum
• murmur
• wail