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

Some women — and I won’t say all, but I think it is closer to all than none — have heard their own first names called out in this singsong tone.

From Washington Post

The clerk of the court cleared his throat and called out something in incomprehensible singsong.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a singsong way of "getting it off," at the same time beating time with his hands on either side of his plate.

From Project Gutenberg

A crackling of noise with a singsong rhythm, the volume of which, low at first, arose to a drone filled the cabin.

From Project Gutenberg

"You are very kind to call on us, Mr. Colburne," said the silver voice with a musical accent which almost amounted to a singsong.

From Project Gutenberg

The singsong verses had almost the dignity of lyric expression, of the essence of familiarity with that which is unknown.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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