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Definition of "intone" [in•tone]

  • To recite in a singing tone. (verb-transitive)
  • To utter in a monotone. (verb-transitive)
  • To speak with a singing tone or with a particular intonation. (verb-intransitive)
  • Music To sing a plainsong intonation. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "intone" in a sentence
  • "When recalling Vance’s little speech at third base, Bressler did not use the word intone at least not here, nor did he use the words peruse, protagonist, or occupancy in his story."
  • "And the whole exercise is needlessly, excessively hostile intone."
  • "The pharmaceutical industry will intone its familiar mantra: The cost of drugs is a relatively small percentage of total health care costs; innovation requires investment; research-based companies need to realize an adequate return on investment; and companies often establish access programs for destitute patients."