# singing

/ˈsɪŋɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈɪŋɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/singing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. making music with the voice

noun · CEFR A2

the act of making musical sounds with your voice.

For teachers: the production of musical sounds using the voice. Uncountable in most contexts.

- 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.

### 2. confessing or informing

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

giving information to the police about someone else's crimes.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. smooth and flowing

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

having a smooth, musical, and pleasant sound.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Her singing is beautiful and very clear.
- The neighbors complained about the loud singing coming from the apartment late at night.
- While the technical aspects of her singing were flawless, the critics noted a distinct lack of emotional depth in her interpretation of the lyrics.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.