intonate

[ in-toh-neyt, -tuh- ]

verb (used with object)

, in·to·nat·ed, in·to·nat·ing.

1. to utter with a particular tone or modulation of voice.
2. to intone; chant.

intonate

/ ˈɪntəʊˌneɪt /

verb

1. to pronounce or articulate (continuous connected speech) with a characteristic rise and fall of the voice
2. a less common word for intone

Word History and Origins

Origin of intonate¹

1785–95; < Medieval Latin intonātus, past participle of intonāre to intone. See -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Solomon said in a singsong, the way people intonate when they are not quite convinced of what they are saying.

From New York Times

The most successful sequences are the ones that find new ways of illustrating the meaning of a poem besides lingering on the face of the performer uttering purposefully syncopated and painstakingly intonated lines.

From New York Times

The people never wearied of singing them, and in very many places the Gospel was introduced by the triumphant power of the Lutheran hymns intonated by pious church members.

From Project Gutenberg

They have this way they intonate their words.

From The Guardian

Those who didn't faint contributed variously intonated screams to the general unrest.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• announce
• articulate
• assert
• declare
• deliver
• emphasize
• present
• proclaim
• say
• speak
• tell
• utter
• vent