sing
vb , sings, singing, sang, sung
1 to produce or articulate (sounds, words, a song, etc.) with definite and usually specific musical intonation
2 when intr, often foll by: to to perform (a song) to the accompaniment (of)
to sing to a guitar
3 intr; foll by: of to tell a story or tale in song (about)
I sing of a maiden
4 intr; foll by: to to address a song (to) or perform a song (for)
5 intr to perform songs for a living, as a professional singer
6 intr (esp. of certain birds and insects) to utter calls or sounds reminiscent of music
7 when intr, usually foll by: of to tell (something) or give praise (to someone), esp. in verse
the poet who sings of the Trojan dead
8 intr to make a whining, ringing, or whistling sound
the kettle is singing, the arrow sang past his ear
9 intr (of the ears) to experience a continuous ringing or humming sound
10 tr (esp. in church services) to chant or intone (a prayer, psalm, etc.)
11 tr to bring to a given state by singing
to sing a child to sleep
12 intr
Slang (chiefly U.S.) to confess or act as an informer
13 intr (Austral) (in Aboriginal witchcraft) to bring about a person's death by incantation. The same power can sometimes be used beneficently
n
14 Informal an act or performance of singing
15 a ringing or whizzing sound, as of bullets,
(See also)
→
sing along →
sing out (Old English singan; related to Old Norse syngja to sing, Gothic siggwan, Old High German singan) ♦
singable adj ♦
singing adj, n See at ring2
sing.
abbrev. for singular
sing along
vb intr, adv
1 to join in singing with a performer
n
♦
sing-along
sing out
vb tr, adv to call out in a loud voice; shout
Sing Sing
n a prison in New York State, in Ossining
(variant of Ossining)