singer

The word “singer” means a person who sings, especially as a profession or skill. In plain terms, someone whose job or hobby is singing.

“Singer” is pronounced SIHNG-uh (/ˈsɪŋ.ɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “singer” used in a sentence: “She trained for years to become an opera singer.”

“Singer” is a noun.

The word “singer” comes from Old English. From Old English/Middle English sing plus the agent suffix -er — literally "one who sings.".

“Singer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Singer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who sings, especially as a profession or skill.

The two overlap heavily. "Singer" is the everyday word for anyone who sings. "Vocalist" sounds more technical or professional and is common in bands, where it names the person providing the vocals. Every vocalist is a singer, but "vocalist" tends to stress a formal or musical role.

Singers are often classified by vocal range: soprano, mezzo-soprano, and alto for higher voices, and tenor, baritone, and bass for lower ones. They can also be grouped by genre — opera, pop, jazz, rock, gospel — or by role, such as lead singer, backing singer, or solo artist.

Yes, most people can learn to sing better. Natural talent and vocal anatomy vary, but singing is a skill built through training in pitch, breathing, and technique. Lessons and regular practice improve control, range, and tone. Only a small share of people are genuinely unable to match pitch.

A singer performs songs with their voice, while a songwriter creates the music and lyrics. The roles are distinct but often combined in one person, known as a singer-songwriter. Some singers only perform material written by others, and many songwriters write for other artists without performing themselves.