singsing /sɪŋ/ ●●● S1 W2 verb (past tense sang /sæŋ/, past participle sung /sʌŋ/) 
She can sing beautifully. Most children enjoy singing. We had a great time singing some of the old songs.sing to My mother used to sing to me when I was young. He was singing to himself quietly.sing somebody something Come on, sing us a song! I’ve never been able to sing in tune (=sing the correct notes). She patiently sang the baby to sleep. → singing2birds [intransitive] if birds sing, they produce high musical sounds: I could hear the birds singing outside my window.3high noise [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to make a high whistling sound: A kettle was singing on the stove.sing past A bullet sang past my ear.4sing somebody’s praises to praise someone very much: Mrs Edwards was singing your praises today.5sing a different tune to say something different from what you said before: You’re singing a different tune now!6be singing from the same hymn sheet/book used to say that a group of people all have the same aims or all express the same opinion on a particular subject: Union representatives are all singing from the same hymn sheet on the issue of pay.7give information [intransitive] informal to tell people everything you know about a crime when they ask you questions about it – used especially by criminals and the police: I think he’ll sing.sing along phrasal verb to sing with someone else who is already singing: Sing along if you know the words.sing along to Jess was singing along to the radio.sing out phrasal verb1 sing out (something) to shout or sing some words clearly and loudly: ‘Freeze!’ a shrill voice sang out.2American English to sing loudly so that people can hear you easilysing up phrasal verb British English to sing more loudly: Sing up, boys, I can’t hear you!
WORD ORIGINsing
Origin:
Old English singanVERB TABLE
sing
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | sing |
| he, she, it | sings | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | sang |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have sung |
| he, she, it | has sung | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had sung |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will sing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have sung |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am singing |
| he, she, it | is singing | |
| you, we, they | are singing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was singing |
| you, we, they | were singing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been singing |
| he, she, it | has been singing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been singing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be singing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been singing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Sing along if you know the words.
- All the family sang 'Happy Birthday' as Dad came in.
- Anyone who could play an instrument or sing in tune was enlisted to take part in the concert.
- Beth ran toward the stream that sang on the other side of the woods.
- Come on, David, sing us a song!
- Daryl sang in his high school choir.
- I could hear someone singing downstairs.
- Pretty soon, Vinnie was singing like a canary.
- She sat in a corner, singing softly to her baby.
- Sophie sings in the church choir.
- They sat together and sang songs.
- A tall boy in a shrunk-up ivory sweater strolled by, hands in his pockets, singing.
- But the organ music was lovely, although some of the vocalists sang rather modern stuff, a bit like rock and roll.
- He and Stefan had worked out a performance programme so that Ingrid wouldn't have to sing two big roles on consecutive nights.
- Now volleys of bird song are erupting from all around, with perhaps ten or more birds singing at once.
- Once again, Ashputtel sang her song for the birds; once again they came to her rescue.
- She played and sang so plaintively that I almost wept, the song was so sad.
Longman Language Activatorto sing
to make musical sounds with your voice, especially the words of a song: · Sophie sings in the church choir.· I could hear someone singing downstairs.sing a song/tune/hymn etc: · They sat together and sang songs.· All the family sang 'Happy Birthday' as Dad came in.sing somebody something: · Come on, David, sing us a song!sing to: · She sat in a corner, singing softly to her baby.sing along (=sing with someone who is already singing): · Sing along if you know the words.sing in tune/out of tune (=sing the right or wrong notes): · Anyone who could play an instrument or sing in tune was enlisted to take part in the concert.
the activity of singing: · I hear Frank's taken up singing again.· Everyone joined in with the singing.· He asked her why she didn't make use of her talent and give singing lessons.singing career: · Danni decided to come to England to launch her singing career.
to sing a song loudly and powerfully: belt out something: · The choir belted out songs from West End shows for over an hour.belt it out: · This is a big theatre - you have to really belt it out.
to suddenly start singing: · He felt so happy he wanted to burst into song.· The orchestra played a few notes and the choir burst into song.
to sing in a very soft, musical way: · A woman gently crooned the tune of a lullaby.· She wandered around the tables, while crooning ''Embraceable You''.
if a member of a band is on vocals , they are singing the song's words: · The band was formed in 1999, with Stevie on vocals.on backing vocals (=singing the background tune, not the main one): · We went to see a band who had Julia Fordham on backing vocals.
to make a musical sound without words to make musical sounds with your voice, but with your mouth closed: · She hummed softly to herself as she worked.· Musicals are uplifting, and you are sure to leave the theatre humming a cheerful tune.
to make musical sounds by blowing air out between your lips: · He stacked crates one on top of the other, whistling as he did so.· You've been whistling that tune all day.
someone who sings someone who sings, especially as their job: · I wanted to have a career as a singer.opera/jazz/blues/rock etc singer: · Jodie dreamed of being a rock singer.a good/bad/terrible etc singer: · She's very pretty, and a good singer too.lead singer (=the main singer in a band): · Mick Jagger, the lead singer with the Rolling Stonesbacking singer (=someone who sings the background tune, not the main tune): · In those days we had a band with a brass section and a couple of female backing singers.
a singer in a group that plays popular music: · The female vocalist came on in a long white gown.· He's a session musician, providing studio backing to well-known vocalists.lead vocalist (=main vocalist): · Tom, the lead vocalist, is also a talented guitarist.
a large group of singers who regularly sing in a church or school or with a group of musicians: · I have always sung in choirs.· He's a member of a Welsh Male Voice Choir.· The school choir performed Vivaldi's Gloria.· Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin started singing in gospel choirs, not at music lessons.
a large group of people who sing together, for example people from a particular town or school: · The chorus's singing was excellent, and so was the orchestral playing.
relating to singing relating to singing or someone's singing voice: · The band's stunning vocal harmonies have earned them a big name in the States.· the Beach Boys and other early '60s teen vocal groups
relating to music or singing done by a choir: · traditional Welsh choral music· The programme includes choral works, and music for string orchestra.
to praise someone or something a lot · The press were full of praise for the whole production.· Ramsey, who hosts a Christian radio show, is full of praise for the two new congressmen.
to praise someone very highly and very frequently: · Craig adored Jane and would sing her praises to anyone who would listen.· Feminists have long sung the praises of writers such as Germaine Greer and Simone de Beauvoir.
informal to talk or write about something, saying how wonderful you think it is: · Critics are raving about the new show.· I bought some of that Colombian coffee you used to rave about.
to praise someone and their achievements very highly, in order to make them seem more important than they really are: · The emperor's achievements were glorified in numerous poems.· The book is a vain attempt to glorify the name of one of the worst dictators in modern history.
to say things that show you admire someone or approve of what they have done: · It's nice to receive a letter heaping praise on someone for a job well done, for a change.· She is modest and generous, lavishing praise on the musicians she has worked with.
WORD SETSauk, nounbald eagle, nounbeak, nounbill, nounbird, nounbirdie, nounbird of paradise, nounbird of passage, nounbird of prey, nounbirdsong, nounblackbird, nounbluebird, nounbluejay, nounbobwhite, nounbreast, nounbuzzard, nouncackle, verbchick, nounclaw, nouncob, nouncock, nouncockerel, nouncockscomb, nouncolouring, nouncondor, nouncoo, verbcoot, nouncormorant, nouncorncrake, nouncrane, nouncrest, nouncrested, adjectivecrop, nouncrow, nouncrow, verbcuckoo, nouncurlew, nouncygnet, noundickybird, noundipper, noundive, verbdodo, noundove, noundown, nounduck, nounduckling, nouneagle, nouneaglet, nounegret, nounemu, nounfeather, nounflamingo, nounfledgling, nounflight, nounfly, verbflycatcher, nounfowl, noungander, noungannet, noungizzard, noungobble, verbgobbler, noungolden eagle, noungoldfinch, noungoose, noungrebe, noungrouse, nounguillemot, nounguinea fowl, nounhackles, nounhatch, verbhawk, nounheron, nounhonk, nounhonk, verbhoot, nounhoot, verbhornbill, nounhouse martin, nounhumming bird, nounincubate, verbjackdaw, nounjay, nounkestrel, nounkingfisher, nounkite, nounkiwi, nounlark, nounlay, verblinnet, nounloon, nounlovebird, nounmacaw, nounmagpie, nounmallard, nounmarabou, nounmartin, nounmeadowlark, nounmigrant, nounmockingbird, nounmoorhen, nounmoult, verbmynah bird, nounnest, nounnest, verbnestling, nounnightingale, nounoriole, nounornithologist, nounornithology, nounosprey, nounostrich, nounowl, nounowlet, nounparakeet, nounparrot, nounpartridge, nounpeacock, nounpeafowl, nounpeahen, nounpeck, verbpeck, nounpeewit, nounpelican, nounpenguin, nounperch, nounperch, verbperegrine falcon, nounpetrel, nounpipit, nounplover, nounplumage, nounplume, verbpullet, nounquail, nounquill, nounraven, nounroadrunner, nounrobin, nounrook, nounroost, nounroost, verbrooster, nounruff, nounsandpiper, nounseabird, nounseagull, nounshag, nounsing, verbskylark, nounsnipe, nounsong, nounsongbird, nounsongster, nounsparrow, nounstarling, nounswallow, nounswan, nounswift, nounswoop, verbtalon, nounteal, nountern, nounthrush, nountit, nountoucan, nountrill, nounturkey, nounturtledove, nountwitter, verbvulture, nounwader, nounwagtail, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwater bird, nounwaterfowl, nounwebbed, adjectiveweb-footed, adjectivewhistle, verbwing, nounwinged, adjectivewingspan, nounwingtip, nounwishbone, nounwren, nounyellowhammer, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY We had a great time singing some of the old songs. I’ve never been able to sing in tune (=sing the correct notes). She patiently sang the baby to sleep.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He liked to sing hymns as he worked. She sings soprano. Lizzie sang unaccompanied.
We had a great time singing some of the old songs. I’ve never been able to sing in tune (=sing the correct notes). She patiently sang the baby to sleep. (=be a musician or singer in a band)· Budd played in a rock band.
(=makes musical sounds)· I woke up to hear the birds singing outside.
He liked to sing hymns as he worked.· She sang the melodies as though she loved them.
(=make someone sleep by singing etc)· She was usually able to rock the baby back to sleep quite quickly.
· He started singing a little song.
She sings soprano. Lizzie sang unaccompanied. (=a voice that goes high and low in a pleasant musical way)· She began to recite the poem in a sing-song voice.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· But I know more about singing than your father will ever know.· She has suffered, but now she has much to sing about.· The Arts: Suitable subjects to sing about?· C.; they were sung about in Sumerian lullabies.· And that's something that no-one in London really wants to sing about.· They also sang about their own lives and in their own accents so it became really unique.· The girl asks me what the woman is singing about.· It is time to give the angels something to sing about.
· You can also sing along to the songs if you wish.· She played piano, and sang, and we all tried to sing along.· He even began to sing along quietly when Gary played.· A possible suitor wearing a Walkman sang along intermittently much louder than he realized.· The audience waved, swayed and sang along enthusiastically, as they had for the procession of artists who had preceded him.· The congregation was singing along vigorously and clapping.· One fan sang along and plucked at an imaginary guitar, but he turned out to be the roadie.· I like songs that you can sing along to, and you can remember.
· On the other side of the castle they were still singing.· Peasant women still sing in this way.· As we walked back down the track, the nightingale was still singing.· The birds were still singing as she made her way slowly to the cars.· There are lots of stories about him and people still sing songs about him - folk songs and such.· Again she tilted her head at the audience, still singing.· Children still sing skipping songs about soggy semolina though I can't remember semolina being served for over twenty years.· He was still singing when the switchboard rang and Schramm was connected with Schaefer.
NOUN· Jeffrey Osborne will come back to sing the national anthem.· Even I wouldn't realise until they opened their mouths - which was only to sing the malai national anthem.· Some memorable moments also have come during the singing of the national anthem.· Deputies sang the national anthem when the votes reached the total of 336 required for impeachment.· A woman called to say she wanted the fans to sing the national anthem.
· The sun shone, the birds sang, and in every corner of the garden there was something interesting to look at.· Out of sight somewhere a bird was singing, and the song seemed wrong and incurious to him.· Millions of small birds now sing in the hedges and spinneys.· She reached the house, where a bird in a cage sang to her to turn back.· The birds were still singing as she made her way slowly to the cars.· Sun shining, birds singing, me propped up on the pillows idly chatting.· His own wish was to be buried in the old-fashioned way, with birds singing and roses blooming over him.
· The Berlin Radio Choir sings beautifully.· Or the Morgan State University Choir singing spirituals?· For it was not the Police Choir that sang but seven-year-old Maria O'Neil.· At that time we choir boys sang the whole of Evensong every night of the week.· And the tower is the centre of attention every May morning when the choir sings out across the rooftops.· I was a member of the thousand-voice choir that sang at the opening of the Gladstone Dock in April, 1913.· You can have three choirs singing their heads off in the separate sections without any of them disturbing the other.· Many of them welcome parish or other choirs to sing their services.
· He says they get to sing and dance, it's fun.· I have also seen them sing and dance.· We like to sing and dance, we like to combine both of them.· This rat wanted to eat ropes the way Gene Kelly wanted to sing and dance.· They will drink, shout, sing and dance.· Will mankind, even under advanced capitalism, let alone any future more liberated society, ever cease to sing and dance?· Publicity officer Elizabeth Cooper said the character does not have to sing or dance.
· I pitched into the chores with a light heart, singing to myself as I worked.· Show me any variation you like, her heart was singing.· He understood now all those clichés about hearts singing, feeling ten feet high, walking on air, cloud nine.· What is that stirs in your heart as you sing of the Angels from the realms of Glory?
· The friar could have sworn that Sir John was singing a hymn or a song under his breath.· J., singing hymns and gospels with her family.· Christians who want to sing their hymns but can't be bothered to get involved in their local church.· The video also shows McCovery, eyes tightly closed, singing hymns in church or dripping wet after her baptism last August.· Mum is singing along with the last hymn.· Then, as the condemned man sang hymns with a chaplain, he bowed his head and wept.· There, in predictable manner, we sing our hymns and say our prayers.· At the foot of the Piccadilly Line escalator at Leicester Square a drunk man squatted, singing hymns.
· We, unfortunately, worked very little together, and when we did I mainly sang his music or his arrangements.· Everyone on the packed stage is singing the most complex music at speeds that are almost unreasonable.· He had to dance, and sing, and play music.· I learned to read for drums first and then to sight sing choral music and then I learned to read music in general.
· He contemplated with relish large retinues of clients singing the praises of their patrons.· You should be a fly on the wall and hear him sing your praises.· Anglers sing the praises of Loch Assynt with similar fervour to that expressed by Norman MacCaig.· I can sing my own praises until the first scandal.· And it was women who sang its praises.· Money out of my pocket was money in the pocket of the man who has sung my praises.· After Shine On had won at York, the papers had sung her praises.· Whereupon Mrs Dole sang the praises of private charity.
· If I heard a new song I had to sing it.· Since then, the official anthem has had a solid place at the Super Bowl, although sometimes both songs are sung.· Once more politics was tempted by the song the sirens sang.· A bonfire burns, songs are sung, and breakfast is served.· There would be frequent visits, more songs to be sung, perhaps a few arguments on the way, but nothing vital.· I like songs that you can sing along to, and you can remember.· A song thrush sang its repetitive phrases from the top of an oak tree.· No man has lived the songs he sang like George Jones.
· I used to dance round them and sing at the top of my voice.
· It is sung to the tune of Twinkle, twinkle, little star.· Now he is singing a different tune.· They were singers and they couldn't sing a note in tune.· Harriet found Paul teasing Ben: asking him to sing a tune, then taunting him.· Today, he sings his classic tunes and hands out spiritual books at the end.· You're singing a different tune now from the one you sang after you'd left her behind and got yourself arrested.· Throughout a mediocre regular season, the Suns have continually sung the same tune.
· She was a confident rocker with a bluesy voice and loved to sing, loved the sensation of being possessed.· This is the principal reason that the great voices of opera seldom sing popular songs.· The voice sings along with the song, then turns into a hum.· Her lovely face in the candlelight, the soft pitch of her voice as she sang him to sleep.· There is a voice singing the blues.· Charity woke to a warbling voice singing happily.· I am leaving out Lee had a beautiful voice and sang beautifully at age six in Covington, Louisiana.
VERB· Bird's profits began to sing.· The trio began to sing, but the din in the room made it impossible to hear.· I was beginning to feel sleepy and I began to sing, softly, to myself.· At last Armand filled his little body to bursting and opened wide his mouth and began to sing.· As soon as he was out of sight he began to sing, very loudly.· We... began to sing.· He even began to sing along quietly when Gary played.· When everything was ready, the two parties faced each other across the field and began to sing.
· Every morning she could hear them singing their mantras with the children.· You should be a fly on the wall and hear him sing your praises.· My first acquaintance with her was when I heard her sing.· In the slums you can now hear the children singing.· He hears me singing, and so learns where I am imprisoned ....· As I was standing before the sink,, I heard Edusha singing a recently popular song.· Then she heard him singing in the bathroom, sounding unbelievably cheerful.· But this morning I hear McMurphy out there in the latrine as I come out of the covers. Hear him singing!
· We played and sang together, and read aloud a little of the Faerie Queene.· She played piano, and sang, and we all tried to sing along.· If only he could have been with Dinah at this hour, playing while she sang!· There was no limit to his power when he played and sang.· She played and sang so plaintively that I almost wept, the song was so sad.· How different they were without her, how they laughed and played and urinated and sang.· With Donald Crubach's help, he played the harp and sang, and started again to compose songs and poems.· Students could learn how to play folk guitar or sing and perform in opera.
· Natalie: I started singing when I was four-doing Elvis impersonations.· He started to sing: Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me; starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee.· There was something rather eerie about people turning up unexpectedly around the door and starting to sing.· Q: At what age did you start singing?· Male speaker I can't wait to start singing again.· Even Jess, always so quiet, so focused, so self-contained, starts singing.· Grimly he started to sing an old war-song, to lift the weight that lay on them all.· As I got older, we started singing as a trio with my daddy.
· And all the birds that saw it stopped singing upon the instant.· When the canaries stopped singing, the miners knew it was time to get out of there.· Despite these optimistic thoughts, and his excitement, Ybreska stopped singing abruptly as he began to walk along the track.· We stopped singing and took a step apart.· Suddenly he stopped singing and went nearer to the window.· A few minutes later I started to leave, and he stopped me to sing me a song.· The rains stopped, the birds sang, and we were spared.· For a moment the birds in the trees outside stopped singing.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be singing from the same hymn sheet/bookPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be singing from the same hymn book/sheet► it’s not over until the fat lady sings► sing/shout at the top of your voice
- A fairly neutral background will make any small splash of colour sing out with particular vibrancy and significance.
- And the tower is the centre of attention every May morning when the choir sings out across the rooftops.
- George sang out for us to look up ahead, that here come just what we been looking for.
- Gougére for supper, she sang out: Thérèse, find the recipe for me.
- Moments later we passed the stump of a tower, and the student sang out the date it was built: 1170.
- Soon the chain was singing out through the foliage, cutting empty avenues through the greenery.
- The occasional mighty line sings out, but on the whole it just tells a good story extremely well.
- Together the band of women wailed and sang out, beating cymbals and drums.
- Craig adored Jane and would sing her praises to anyone who would listen.
- Diane really admires you - she's always singing your praises.
- Feminists have long sung the praises of writers such as Germaine Greer and Simone de Beauvoir.
- Now he is singing a different tune.
- You're singing a different tune now from the one you sang after you'd left her behind and got yourself arrested.
- At that point I burst out laughing.
- Charles didn't respond and after a frozen pause, she collapsed into a chair and burst out crying.
- He did it so cleverly that you would think it was the real thing - until he burst out laughing.
- I came down the steps of the Ashbery that morning and burst out laughing at the heat.
- I said and burst out crying.
- Julie, surprised, burst out laughing.
- The whole group bursts out laughing.
- The woman and children burst out laughing again, getting up from the table and crowding round me.
- After this last furlough we paid a last sad visit to the school and found a small girl crying her heart out.
- Anyway, then she just sprawled on the floor and cried her heart out.
- For the first time since I cried my heart out in Puerto Rico - I was crying.
- March 7: I cried my heart out last night after seeing the movie High Tide.
- She cried her heart out, all because of an unruly trouble-making, black-hearted child who was ripping her apart.
- We would march along in step, doing eighty-eight paces to the minute, singing our hearts out.
- She danced up a storm at an Alexandria, Va., club where the Desperadoes played right after the election.
- They are blowing trumpets singing up a storm and waving as they walk past us.
WORD FAMILYnounsingersingingadjectiveunsungverbsing
1with your voice [intransitive, transitive] to produce a musical sound with your voice: She can sing beautifully. Most children enjoy singing. We had a great time singing some of the old songs.sing to My mother used to sing to me when I was young. He was singing to himself quietly.sing somebody something Come on, sing us a song! I’ve never been able to sing in tune (=sing the correct notes). She patiently sang the baby to sleep. → singing2birds [intransitive] if birds sing, they produce high musical sounds: I could hear the birds singing outside my window.3high noise [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to make a high whistling sound: A kettle was singing on the stove.sing past A bullet sang past my ear.4sing somebody’s praises to praise someone very much: Mrs Edwards was singing your praises today.5sing a different tune to say something different from what you said before: You’re singing a different tune now!6be singing from the same hymn sheet/book used to say that a group of people all have the same aims or all express the same opinion on a particular subject: Union representatives are all singing from the same hymn sheet on the issue of pay.7give information [intransitive] informal to tell people everything you know about a crime when they ask you questions about it – used especially by criminals and the police: I think he’ll sing.sing along phrasal verb to sing with someone else who is already singing: Sing along if you know the words.sing along to Jess was singing along to the radio.sing out phrasal verb1 sing out (something) to shout or sing some words clearly and loudly: ‘Freeze!’ a shrill voice sang out.2American English to sing loudly so that people can hear you easilysing up phrasal verb British English to sing more loudly: Sing up, boys, I can’t hear you!