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to chime

to chime

61 3.0
To make a clear ringing sound like a bell
  • verb
  • /tʃaɪm/
translation icon : tañer
  • As the clock struck the hour, it began to chime melodiously throughout the hall.
  • bells chime

Examples

  • And the bells are chiming.

  • As soon as the clock had started to chime, an urgency overcame her.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "All the clocks in the city began to whir and chime.

  • As the grandfather clock in the corner chimed seven, Stuart Pierce and Willis Guthrie entered together.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • (Clock bells chiming)

  • The church bells will chime at noon, signaling the start of the service.

  • Every evening, the old clock in the town square chimes a lovely tune to mark the end of the day.

Synonyms

to sound
vsto chime
935 1.0

To make a noise that others can hear

refer to a specific clear series of musical notes not any noise
to ring
vsto chime
430 1.0

To make a clear sound like a bell that can be heard far away

emit a clear melodic series rather than generic resonant noise
to ding
vsto chime
22 6.1

To make a short high sound like a small bell, for example on a phone

emit a longer melodic series of notes instead of one short tone
to jingle
vsto chime
18 2.8

To make a light ringing sound by moving small metal objects

emit smoother musical notes instead of short percussive metal sounds
to tinkle
vsto chime
15 3.9

To make a light clear ringing sound like a small bell

emit fuller melodic notes rather than tiny high tones
to peal
vsto chime
1 6.4

To ring loudly and clearly in a series, like church bells

emit musical notes more gently and musically than loud repeated tones
to dingling
vsto chime
6.1

To make a light ringing sound like a small bell

emit clearer musical notes rather than light repeated bell sounds

Phrasal Verbs

to chime in
  • Informal
40 4.3

To make a short comment during a conversation

Compounds

10 2.8

A hanging decoration that makes soft sounds in the wind

How Loud

to peal
1 6.4
to chime
61 3.0
to tinkle
15 3.9

Surface Forms

chime infinitive
chimed past
chimed past participle
chiming present participle
chimes third person singular

Etymology

Chime comes from the idea of bells or metal instruments that 'ring' together, a meaning close to the word cymbal. So to chime is to make a clear, ringing sound, as clocks, bells, or phones do.