View synonyms for intone

intone

[ in-tohn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

intoned, intoning.

to utter with a particular tone or voice modulation.
to give tone or variety of tone to; vocalize.
to utter in a singing voice (the first tones of a section in a liturgical service).
to recite or chant in monotone.

verb (used without object)

intoned, intoning.

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

intone

/ ɪnˈtəʊn /

verb

to utter, recite, or sing (a chant, prayer, etc) in a monotonous or incantatory tone
intr to speak with a particular or characteristic intonation or tone
to sing (the opening phrase of a psalm, etc) in plainsong

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Derived Forms

inˈtoner, noun

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Other Words From

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of intone¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of intone¹

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

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Example Sentences

“I journeyed so long in my mind, but it was so dark in this foreign place,” he intones, in Fon, the nearly eradicated language of Dahomey, “that I lost myself in my dreams.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Whatever I do, I do for America,” he intones with smarmy conviction.

From Salon

“It’s a unique kind of uplift, I think,” he intones, capturing the director’s cheeky sense of humor.

From Salon

“You are entertained and satiated,” the narrator intones, “you are seemingly productive. But you are not great.”

From BBC

“Time for Kamala Harris to face some real scrutiny,” intoned The Telegraph.

From Salon