WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•tone /ɪnˈtoʊn/USA pronunciation
v., -toned, -ton•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to speak or recite in a singing voice or with a particular tone, esp. with a slow, even tone with little change in pitch: [~ + object]to intone prayers for the dead.[used with quotations]"Welcome to the Department of Motor Vehicles,'' the recording intoned.
in•tone
(in tōn′),USA pronunciation v., -toned, -ton•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
in•ton′er, n.
v.t.
- 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.
v.i.
- to speak or recite in a singing voice, esp. in monotone;
chant. - Music and Danceto produce a tone, or a particular series of tones, like a scale, esp. with the voice.
- Medieval Latin; see in-2, tone
- Middle French entoner
- Medieval Latin intonāre; replacing earlier entone
- 1475–85