intone — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To give tone or variety of tone to; to vocalize.

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To utter with a musical or prolonged note or tone; to speak or recite with singing voice; to chant.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   sing

   Examples

   to intone the church service

   More examples (1)

   But when the moon rose and the breeze awakened, and the sedges stirred, and the cat’s-paws raced across the moonlit ponds, and the far surf off Wonder Head intoned the hymn of the four winds, the trinity, earth and sky and water, became one thunderous symphony—a harmony of sound and colour silvered to a monochrome by the moon.

3. To utter a tone; utter a protracted sound.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

Verb

1. utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically

   Synonyms

   tonechant

   Broader terms

   talkspeakuttermouthverbalizeverbalise

   Examples

   The students chanted the same slogan over and over again

2. recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm

   Synonyms

   chantintonatecantillate

   Broader terms

   sing

   Examples

   The rabbi chanted a prayer

3. speak carefully, as with rising and falling pitch or in a particular tone

   Synonyms

   intonate

   Broader terms

   pronouncelabeljudge

   Examples

   please intonate with sadness