Phrase guide

sing small

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /sɪŋ ˈsmɔːl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /sɪŋ ˈsmɔl/
  • General-American, cot-caught-merger: /-smɑl/
  • rhymes with -ɔːl

1

verb

Meaning 1

To assume a humble tone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To not say anything; to keep quiet.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To play a minor part.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To sing softly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive, obsolete

Qualifier: singing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From sing + small (“in a small fashion; (obsolete) in a low tone, softly”).

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: olla nöyrä — to assume a humble tone
  • Finnish: olla nöyrästi — to assume a humble tone
  • Finnish: vaikuttaa vähän — to play a minor part