Advertisement

View synonyms for intone

intone

[ in-tohn ]

verb (used with object)

, in·toned, in·ton·ing.
  1. to utter with a particular tone or voice modulation.
  2. to give tone or variety of tone to; vocalize.
  3. to utter in a singing voice (the first tones of a section in a liturgical service).
  4. to recite or chant in monotone.


verb (used without object)

, in·toned, in·ton·ing.
  1. to speak or recite in a singing voice, especially in monotone; chant.
  2. Music. to produce a tone, or a particular series of tones, like a scale, especially with the voice.

intone

/ ɪnˈtəʊn /

verb

  1. to utter, recite, or sing (a chant, prayer, etc) in a monotonous or incantatory tone
  2. intr to speak with a particular or characteristic intonation or tone
  3. to sing (the opening phrase of a psalm, etc) in plainsong
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • inˈtoner, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • in·toner noun
  • half-in·toned adjective
  • unin·toned adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of intone1

1475–85; < Medieval Latin intonāre; replacing earlier entone < Middle French entoner < Medieval Latin; in- 2, tone
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of intone1

C15: from Medieval Latin intonare, from in- ² + tone
Discover More

Example Sentences

He’s not any more interesting when intoning wispily New Age-y threats such as “if dreams disappear, then so will humanity.”

Every other time I’ve flown in and out of Hong Kong, the airport hums with thousands of travelers, children scampering across the polished floors, announcements intoned in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Were this sci-fi, a ship’s commander might intone, Set the controls for the center of soul.

Narrated by an intoning Jeff Daniels, “Inside the President’s War Room” certainly captures the chaos and confusion in the hours after the first plane hit North Tower, as various agencies scramble to figure out the scope of the attacks.

He has intoned his political moves with these same anti-establishment, unbeholden notes.

From Vox

You know: I am to intone that these pundits think of Obama as an “uppity Negro.”

He shook his head knowingly, as if to intone the word ‘New York,’ were to intone a universal spirit of ‘anything goes’.

All four poets intone the strain, "Ye rocks and trees, guard the memory of our love."

If a student is unable to distinguish a correct intonation, his voice will not intone correctly.

It seemed quite out of keeping with his homely manner and crumpled surplice that this particular reader should intone.

Brahms permits the bassoon to intone the Fuchslied of the German students in his "Academic" overture.

Oh, never more for me shall winds intone With all your tops a vast antiphony, Demanding and responding in God's praise!

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


intonation patterninto one's head