singer

singer

---

Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "singer" is /ˈsɪŋər/.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:

• Sing-: /sɪŋ/

• -er: /ər/

---

Word Form Variations

• Singular Noun: singer

• Plural Noun: singers

• Verb (base form): sing (related, but not a variation of "singer" itself)

• Verb (present participle): singing (related, but not a variation of "singer" itself)

• Verb (past tense): sang (related, but not a variation of "singer" itself)

• Verb (past participle): sung (related, but not a variation of "singer" itself)

---

---

Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: A person who uses their voice to produce musical tones, often performing for an audience or as part of a choir.

• Synonyms: vocalist, crooner, songster, chorister, minstrel

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; someone who cannot sing, or does not sing, would be the opposite concept.)

• Definition 2: In a broader sense, any animal or bird that produces a characteristic melodic sound, often for communication or display.

• Synonyms: chanter (less common for animals), songbird (specifically for birds)

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; an animal that does not make melodic sounds would be the opposite concept.)

---

Examples of Use

• Books: "The lead singer of the band commanded the stage with an electrifying presence, captivating the audience from the first note." (From a review of "The Final Encore" by Sarah J. Maas, Entertainment Weekly)

• Newspapers: "Taylor Swift, the pop singer known for her chart-topping hits and devoted fanbase, announced a new leg of her global tour this morning." (The New York Times)

• Online Publications: "Billie Eilish, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, spoke about her creative process in an exclusive interview with Vogue." (Vogue.com)

• Entertainment Mediums (Music): "Beyoncé's powerful vocals solidify her status as one of the greatest singers of our time, evident in her latest album's complex arrangements." (From a music critic's review on Pitchfork)

• Entertainment Platforms (Television/Film): "In the documentary 'Whitney,' viewers get an intimate look into the life and career of Whitney Houston, the iconic singer whose voice moved millions." (As seen on Netflix)

• General Public Discourse: "My daughter dreams of becoming a professional singer when she grows up, and she practices her scales every day." (Heard in a casual conversation)

• General Public Discourse: "That new contestant on 'The Voice' is an incredible singer; I was really impressed with their vocal range." (Common phrase used when discussing reality singing competitions)

---

---

10 Quotes Using Singer

1. "You can cage the singer but not the song." - Harry Belafonte

2. "Audiences like their blues singers to be miserable." - Janis Joplin

3. "The singer alone does not make a song, there has to be someone who hears." - Rabindranath Tagore

4. "A singer starts by having his instrument as a gift from God... When you have been given something in a moment of grace, it is sacrilegious to be greedy." - Marian Anderson

5. "It's the singer not the song that makes the music move along." - Pete Townshend (from the song "Join Together")

6. "Most chick singers say 'if you hurt me, I'll die'... I say, 'if you'll hurt me, I'll kick your ass.'" - Pat Benatar

7. "I'm a firm believer that it's not the way you sing, it's what you sing." - Joshua Homme

8. "My father had been living hand-to-mouth and literally slept on railway platforms when he came to Mumbai for the first time to become a film singer." - Sonu Nigam

9. "The human voice is the most perfect instrument of all." - Arvo Pärt (often attributed to a "singer" in context)

10. "A singer paints a canvas with sound." (Author Unknown)

---

Etymology

The word "singer" is quite old in the English language, tracing its roots back to Middle English (around 1150-1500 AD). It essentially combines the verb "to sing" with the "-er" suffix, which means "one who does" something.

So, the very first known meaning of "singer" was simply "one who makes music with the voice." This included both men and women. It was used to describe someone who chanted, sang for joy, or even told stories or celebrated events through song. It also replaced older Old English terms like "songer" (which meant "psalm-writer") and "sangere" ("singer, poet").

Over time, the core meaning has stayed the same, but the word has also been used to describe things like "a poet" or "a singing bird" because of their connection to producing sounds or verse.

---

---

Phrases + Idioms Containing Singer

• Lead singer: The main vocalist in a musical group.

• Back-up singer: A vocalist who supports the lead singer with harmonies.

• Choir singer: A member of a choir.

• Lounge singer: A singer who performs in clubs or bars, often with a relaxed style.

• Torch singer: A vocalist, typically female, who sings sentimental or sad songs, often about unrequited love.

• Opera singer: A vocalist who performs in operas.

• Pop singer: A singer who specializes in popular music.

• Country singer: A singer who specializes in country music.

• Like a caged bird (that wants to sing): Expressing a feeling of being restricted, preventing one from expressing themselves or their talent (using the concept of a bird as a "singer").

• The song and the singer: Referring to the art and the artist as inseparable.

• Every bird has its own song: Emphasizing individuality and unique expression (using "bird" as a "singer").

• Sing for your supper: To perform a task or offer a service in exchange for food or payment. (Uses "sing" as the verb, but implies the role of a "singer").

• To be a songbird: To have a beautiful singing voice.

---

Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

---

Source Information

Definition of singer from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

---