What does singeing mean?
Singeing is the present participle of the verb “sing” and refers to making musical sounds with the voice, usually while performing a song. It can describe the activity itself, as in “They went on singing until the concert ended,” or identify a person engaged in it, as in “a singing audience.” The word is common in British and American English and carries no strongly negative connotation, though it can sometimes suggest a sustained or enthusiastic performance. “Singing” is the more usual noun and gerund form; “singeing,” with an extra “e,” is a different word meaning to burn or scorch. In everyday use, singeing is closely associated with songs, choirs, concerts, and informal performances, but it also has a broader meaning that includes vocalizing or making a clear, sustained sound.
To make musical sounds with the voice, especially as part of a song or performance.
"The choir is singing a hymn."
This is the present participle of “sing,” used with auxiliary verbs or to show an action occurring at the same time as another.
The activity or practice of making musical sounds with the voice.
"Her singing filled the small hall with warmth."
From the Old English root that also gave us “song,” the act of singing has carried language, memory, and emotion for more than a thousand years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does singeing come from?
The word belongs to the Germanic family of languages and is related to English “song” and “singer.” Its present-participle ending -ing reflects the long-established English convention of forming continuous verb forms with that suffix. The root ultimately goes back to an Old English verb meaning to make musical sounds or produce song, a sense preserved in many Germanic languages.
Related word forms
How singeing is actually used
As a verb form, “singeing” is the present participle of “sing,” used after auxiliary verbs or with “and” to show simultaneous action. It is less commonly used as a standalone gerund than “singing.”
Easily confused with singeing
Although the forms are closely related, “singing” is the standard noun and gerund form, while “singeing” means to burn or scorch something.