to chime
- verb
- /tʃaɪm/
- As the clock struck the hour, it began to chime melodiously throughout the hall.
- bells chime
Examples
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And the bells are chiming.
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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.
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As the grandfather clock in the corner chimed seven, Stuart Pierce and Willis Guthrie entered together.
Fiction book (1994) -
(Clock bells chiming)
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The church bells will chime at noon, signaling the start of the service.
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Every evening, the old clock in the town square chimes a lovely tune to mark the end of the day.
Synonyms
To make a noise that others can hear
To make a clear sound like a bell that can be heard far away
To make a short high sound like a small bell, for example on a phone
To make a light ringing sound by moving small metal objects
To make a light clear ringing sound like a small bell
To ring loudly and clearly in a series, like church bells
To make a light ringing sound like a small bell
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
How Loud
Surface Forms
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.