singsong: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal
Quick answer
What does “singsong” mean?
a repeated rising and falling pattern of speech or singing, often with a monotonous, rhythmic quality.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a repeated rising and falling pattern of speech or singing, often with a monotonous, rhythmic quality.
A voice or manner of speaking characterized by a repetitive, melodic rhythm; also, an informal gathering where people sing songs together.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun meaning 'an informal gathering for singing' is predominantly British. The descriptive adjective meaning 'having a rising and falling rhythm' is used in both varieties.
Connotations
The term often carries a neutral-to-slightly-negative connotation when describing speech, implying a lack of natural emphasis or a childish, nursery-rhyme quality.
Frequency
Low frequency in formal contexts; more common in descriptive prose, literary contexts, and informal British English for the social event meaning.
Grammar
How to Use “singsong” in a Sentence
She spoke in a [ADJ] singsong.His voice [VERB] a singsong.The [NOUN] had a singsong quality.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “singsong” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- We ended the evening with a bit of a singsong around the piano.
- Her voice had a gentle, hypnotic singsong to it.
American English
- The teacher's voice settled into a predictable singsong.
- The auctioneer's rapid singsong was hard to follow.
adjective
British English
- He used a singsong intonation that the children loved.
- The repetitive, singsong rhyme helped them memorise the rule.
American English
- She answered in a singsong voice, dripping with sarcasm.
- The protesters chanted in singsong unison.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could describe a monotonous presentation style: 'He delivered the figures in a dull singsong.'
Academic
Used in linguistics, literature, and musicology to describe prosodic patterns or poetic recitation.
Everyday
Used to describe a voice, especially of someone reading aloud to children, chanting, or speaking in an affected way.
Technical
In phonetics, refers to a speech pattern with excessive and regular pitch variation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “singsong”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He singsonged the poem' is non-standard).
- Confusing it with 'sing-along'. A 'singsong' is the event; a 'sing-along' is the activity.
- Using it to describe pleasant singing (it usually implies a simplistic or tedious quality).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent but often neutral-to-negative when describing speech, suggesting monotony or childishness. For the social event ('a singsong'), it is neutral or positive.
No, standard usage does not include 'singsong' as a verb. Use 'chant', 'intone', or 'recite in a singsong voice' instead.
'Melodious' implies a pleasing, rich melody. 'Singsong' implies a simple, repetitive, often monotonous up-and-down pattern, not necessarily pleasing.
It is less common and may not be immediately familiar to all American speakers, who might use 'sing-along' or 'impromptu singing' instead.
a repeated rising and falling pattern of speech or singing, often with a monotonous, rhythmic quality.
Singsong is usually informal in register.
Singsong: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋsɒŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋsɔːŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To read in a singsong (voice)”
- “To fall into a singsong”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word itself: SING + SONG. It sounds like what it describes—a voice that goes up and down like a simple song.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS MUSIC (but simple, repetitive music).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the noun 'singsong' most likely to be used in British English?