intone

[ in-tohn ]

verb (used with object)

, in·toned, in·ton·ing.

1. to utter with a particular tone or voice modulation.
2. to give tone or variety of tone to; vocalize.
3. to utter in a singing voice (the first tones of a section in a liturgical service).
4. to recite or chant in monotone.

verb (used without object)

, in·toned, in·ton·ing.

1. to speak or recite in a singing voice, especially in monotone; chant.
2. Music. to produce a tone, or a particular series of tones, like a scale, especially with the voice.

intone

/ ɪnˈtəʊn /

verb

1. to utter, recite, or sing (a chant, prayer, etc) in a monotonous or incantatory tone
2. intr to speak with a particular or characteristic intonation or tone
3. to sing (the opening phrase of a psalm, etc) in plainsong

Derived Forms

• inˈtoner, noun

Other Words From

• in·toner noun
• half-in·toned adjective
• unin·toned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intone¹

1475–85; < Medieval Latin intonāre; replacing earlier entone < Middle French entoner < Medieval Latin; in- ², tone

Word History and Origins

Origin of intone¹

C15: from Medieval Latin intonare, from in- ² + tone

Example Sentences

He’s not any more interesting when intoning wispily New Age-y threats such as “if dreams disappear, then so will humanity.”

From Washington Post

Every other time I’ve flown in and out of Hong Kong, the airport hums with thousands of travelers, children scampering across the polished floors, announcements intoned in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

From ProPublica

Were this sci-fi, a ship’s commander might intone, Set the controls for the center of soul.

From The Daily Beast

Narrated by an intoning Jeff Daniels, “Inside the President’s War Room” certainly captures the chaos and confusion in the hours after the first plane hit North Tower, as various agencies scramble to figure out the scope of the attacks.

From Washington Post

He has intoned his political moves with these same anti-establishment, unbeholden notes.

From Vox

You know: I am to intone that these pundits think of Obama as an “uppity Negro.”

From The Daily Beast

He shook his head knowingly, as if to intone the word ‘New York,’ were to intone a universal spirit of ‘anything goes’.

From The Daily Beast

All four poets intone the strain, "Ye rocks and trees, guard the memory of our love."

From Project Gutenberg

If a student is unable to distinguish a correct intonation, his voice will not intone correctly.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed quite out of keeping with his homely manner and crumpled surplice that this particular reader should intone.

From Project Gutenberg

Brahms permits the bassoon to intone the Fuchslied of the German students in his "Academic" overture.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, never more for me shall winds intone With all your tops a vast antiphony, Demanding and responding in God's praise!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• articulate
• chant
• croon
• recite
• sing