What does crooning mean?
Crooning refers to singing in a soft, low, intimate voice, typically sentimental or romantic songs, in a manner designed to sound tender rather than powerful. The word gained prominence in the 1920s and 1930s with the rise of radio and electric microphones, which allowed singers like Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallée to reach audiences through gentle vocal delivery rather than operatic projection. Such performers became known as crooners, and the term still evokes that era's smooth, nostalgic style. Crooning can also describe the low murmuring sounds made by certain birds, particularly doves, though this sense is more common in British English. The word carries warm, affectionate connotations, often associated with lullabies, love ballads, and late-night performances. It functions both as a noun, naming the act itself, and as the present participle of the verb croon.
The act of singing in a soft, low, gentle voice.
"His crooning filled the smoky lounge until midnight."
Often used of sentimental popular music, especially in the style of mid-20th-century singers.
Singing in a soft, low, intimate voice; or making a low murmuring sound like that of a dove.
"She was crooning a lullaby as the baby drifted off."
Before rock stars screamed into microphones, 'crooners' like Bing Crosby conquered the airwaves by whispering — and critics once dismissed crooning as an unmanly fad.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of crooning
The verb 'croon' derives from Middle Dutch 'cronen' and related Low German forms meaning to utter a low, mournful or murmuring sound, likely imitative in origin. It entered Scots and Northern English dialects before spreading more widely. The modern sense of singing sentimental songs softly emerged in early 20th-century America alongside microphone-amplified popular music.
Related word forms
How crooning is actually used
'Crooning' carries warm, nostalgic connotations, evoking mid-20th-century singers and lullabies. It is informal to neutral in register. When applied to birds, it is chiefly British usage describing the soft coo of doves.
Easily confused with crooning
'Crowning' means placing a crown on someone's head or reaching a peak moment, whereas 'crooning' means singing gently in a low, soft voice.