sing

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   make a whining, ringing, or whistling sound

   the kettle was singing

2. 2
   verb

   to make melodious sounds

   The nightingale was singing

3. 3
   verb

   produce tones with the voice

   I was singing while I was cooking.

4. 4
   verb

   To produce musical or harmonious sounds with one’s voice.

   "I really want to sing in the school choir," said Vera.

5. 5
   verb

   To express audibly by means of a harmonious vocalization.

   sing a lullaby

6. 6
   verb

   To soothe with singing.

   to sing somebody to sleep

7. 7
   verb

   To make a small, shrill sound.

   The air sings in passing through a crevice.

8. 8
   verb

   To relate in verse; to celebrate in poetry; to praise.

   Who would not ſing for Lycidas? he knew / Himſelf to ſing, and build the lofty rhyme.

Etymology

From Middle English singen, from Old English singan (“to sing”), from Proto-West Germanic *singwan, from Proto-Germanic *singwaną (“to sing”), from Proto-Indo-European *sengʷʰ- (“to recite, sing”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian sjunge (“to sing”), West Frisian sjonge (“to sing”), Dutch zingen (“to sing”), German Low German singen (“to sing”), German singen (“to sing”), Danish synge (“to sing”), Swedish sjunga (“to sing”), Icelandic syngja (“to sing”), Ancient Greek ὀμφή (omphḗ, “voice, oracle”).