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to sing

to sing

78 7.8
To make a high thin sound like a whistle
  • verb
  • /sɪŋ/
translation icon : silbar
  • Apparently this candle sings happy birthday.
  • make it sing

When spring plugs yellow in and water sings.

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Examples

  • The roses in the gardens sang softly, attracting tiny sound bees in tight-packed silver clouds.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • In the distance, voices were singing the university fight song at a morning pep rally.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • See if it sings on its own.

  • I love the way it sings, all the joy that it brings.

  • Sing real loud in the shower.

  • Still, at times like this, with the wheels singing beneath him, Fish feels better about his life.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • People are gone, birds and insects silent; only the crickets sing in the grass.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The sounds you hear will be the birds singing or water lapping at the sides of the mokoro.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Folklore has it that cicadas singing on a summer morning portend a hot day.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The wind blew through the trees, making the branches sing softly.

Synonyms

to whistle
vsto sing
91 1.6

To make a high sound by blowing air through your lips or a small device

is any object sound that includes whistling but can be other tones
to screech
vsto sing
86 4.0

To make a loud, high, sharp sound that startles people

is less harsh and can be ringing or gently whistling rather than piercing
to squeak
vsto sing
82 1.4

To make a short high sound when things move or rub together

can be longer or more continuous, not only short sudden sounds
to squeal
vsto sing
61 3.0

To make a long, high sound like a pig or excited child

can be less loud and more musical rather than a loud cry
to pipe
vsto sing
47 7.0

To make a high thin sound like a small bird or child

is wider, also covering mechanical or musical high tones beyond shrill utterance
to chirp
vsto sing
34 1.0

To make a short, high sound like a small bird, insect, or electronic device

can be longer or more ringing, not limited to very short chirps
to ding
vsto sing
22 6.1

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

is broader, covering ringing plus whistling and whining tones
to whine
vsto sing
18 2.6

To make a long high, unpleasant sound like a machine

includes whining but also softer ringing or musical high tones
to chitter
vsto sing
3 8.0

To make short high noises like a small bird's call

may be a single sustained tone rather than quick repeated notes
to shrill
vsto sing
3 4.8

To make a very high, sharp sound often as a cry

may be smoother or more musical, not only piercing in quality
to peep
vsto sing
2 1.5

To make a short high sound like a baby bird

can include longer or musical high sounds, not only brief peeps
to mew
vsto sing
1 7.9

To make a soft high sound like a kitten

can be less soft and include ringing or whistling qualities
to give a whistle
vsto sing
1 4.2

Make a short high sound with lips or a small device to get attention

covers similar high tones but also ringing or whining not made by blowing
to screak
vsto sing
  • UK
9.9

To make a short, high, harsh sound like an owl or old gate

can be more whining or ringing and not necessarily so harsh
to skirl
vsto sing
9.9

To make a high, loud, wailing sound like bagpipes

is broader, including non-wailing high tones such as ringing or whistling
to wheep
vsto sing
9.9

To make a short high whistling sound like a small bird

is broader, also covering ringing and longer whining tones

Idioms

Say strong good things about someone or something in public

Say very good things about someone or something

4 4.8

To sing with great feeling and energy

4 7.9

To do work or perform to earn something you need

To agree with others, often in public

9.7

Make a very loud, strong sound with your voice and much feeling

To agree with others and express the same view

8.4

To sing very loudly and happily

Phrasal Verbs

44 1.4

To sing together with other people or with music playing

To sing in the highest voice part in a choir

To say very good things about someone, often in public

to sing small
  • Informal
8.8

Act modestly by saying little about your talents

To match your voice to the notes of the song

How High-Pitched

to screech
86 4.0
to whistle
91 1.6
to sing
78 7.8
ring
203 1.0
to hum
49 1.0

Surface Forms

sing infinitive
singing present participle
sings third person singular
sang past
sung past participle

Etymology

The sense of sing for things comes from the same idea of a voice: objects 'sing' when they make a high, clear sound, like a kettle that 'sings' on the stove. So saying a saw or a bullet 'sang' simply means it made a sharp, whistling or musical noise.