Definition

1. Verb:
   • To produce musical tones with the voice: To use one's voice to make musical sounds, often with words set to a melody.
   • To make a melodious sound: To produce a continuous, often high-pitched, pleasant sound, as done by birds, a kettle, or the wind.
   • To divulge information, especially to the authorities: (Slang) To confess or give information about someone, often secretly.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • She loves to sing in the choir. (She enjoys producing musical tones with her voice as part of a group.)
  • The birds sing every morning at dawn. (The birds produce melodious sounds.)
  • The kettle began to sing as the water boiled. (The kettle made a whistling sound.)
  • Faced with evidence, the suspect decided to sing. (The suspect decided to confess or give information.)

Advanced Usage

• "to sing someone's/something's praises": To praise someone or something enthusiastically and publicly.
  • The critics are singing the praises of the new restaurant. (The critics are giving it very high praise.)
• "to sing a different tune": To change one's opinion or attitude, especially to become more humble or compliant.
  • After seeing the results, he was singing a different tune. (His opinion changed completely.)

Variants and Related Words

• Singer (n): A person who sings, especially professionally.
  • She is a famous opera singer.
• Singing (n): The act or art of producing musical tones with the voice.
  • Her singing filled the concert hall.
• Song (n): A short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung.
  • He wrote a beautiful song.

Synonyms

• Chant: To sing or intone a short, simple melody or phrase, often in a ritual.
• Vocalize: To make sounds or sing with the voice, sometimes without words.
• Croon: To sing or hum in a soft, low voice, especially sentimentally.
• Confess (for the slang meaning): To admit or acknowledge something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sing along: To sing together with someone who is already singing or with recorded music.
  • Everyone sang along to the chorus of the song.
• Sing out: To sing or call out loudly and clearly.
  • If you know the answer, sing out!
• Sing up: (British English) To join a choir or singing group by registering.
  • She decided to sing up for the community choir.

Related Idioms

• It's not over until the fat lady sings: The outcome is not certain until the very end of an event.
  • We're losing now, but remember, it's not over until the fat lady sings.
• For a song: For a very low price.
  • She bought that antique vase for a song at the flea market.

Verb

1. divulge confidential information or secrets
   • Be careful--his secretary talks
2. make a whining, ringing, or whistling sound
   • the kettle was singing
   • the bullet sang past his ear
3. to make melodious sounds
   • The nightingale was singing
4. produce tones with the voice
   • She was singing while she was cooking
   • My brother sings very well
5. deliver by singing
   • Sing Christmas carols