singsong

[ sing-sawng, -song ]

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.

adjective

1. monotonous in rhythm and in pitch.

singsong

/ 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

adjective

1. having a regular or monotonous rising and falling rhythm

   a singsong accent

Word History and Origins

Origin of singsong¹

First recorded in 1600–10; sing + song

Example Sentences

On the first night of Passover, the singsong of the Four Questions echoed from Jewish homes and gatherings around the world, including from unlikely, contested spaces: the center of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia and other universities where demonstrations are taking place.

From New York Times

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

A rabbi led a singsong chant calling for “no more war” and “cease-fire now” and offered a prayer for peace in Hebrew and English.

From New York Times

The Frankenstein patchwork of his face has echoes of Alasdair Gray's chiselled artwork and he uses the same gentle accent and singsong voice as Gray himself.

From BBC

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

Related Words

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