Word
singing
US/ˈsɪŋɪŋ/
UK/sˈɪŋɪŋ/
Definitions
01making music with the voice
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Music
n. the act of making musical sounds with your voice.
n. the production of musical sounds using the voice. Uncountable in most contexts.
日本語:歌※
“Her singing was so beautiful that the whole room went quiet to listen.”
“The choir's singing resonated through the cathedral, demonstrating a perfect balance between the soprano and alto sections.”
Usage
Usually uncountable; when referring to a specific event, it can be used with 'a' in some dialects.
Synonyms
02confessing or informing
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Informal · Slang
n. giving information to the police about someone else's crimes.
n. the act of disclosing incriminating information to authorities about accomplices or criminal activity.
“The thief started singing to the police as soon as they caught him.”
“The detective suspected that once the pressure mounted, one of the suspects would start singing to secure a plea deal.”
Teaching tip
This is a metaphorical use of the verb 'to sing' common in crime fiction and police procedurals.
Synonyms
03smooth and flowing
C2 · Proficiency Music Technical · Formal
adj. having a smooth, musical, and pleasant sound.
adj. characterised by a smooth, flowing, and melodic quality; often used to describe a style of playing an instrument.
“The pianist played with a lovely singing tone that moved the audience.”
“The instructor urged the violinist to adopt a more singing style during the second movement to highlight the composer's lyrical intentions.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “singing” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English syngyng; equivalent to sing + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. singing soprano
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/singing
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0