chime
18 synonyms for chime, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A bell-like instrument, or set of them, that rings out a musical note.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use chime
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
chime in
wind chimes
the clock chimed
Etymology
From Middle English chymbe, likely traced back to Latin cymbalum, "cymbal".
Full origin of chime →Frequently asked questions
What does “chime” mean?
The word “chime” means a bell-like instrument, or set of them, that rings out a musical note. In plain terms, a ringing bell sound, or the act of ringing like one — also used for jumping into a conversation ("chime in").
How do you pronounce “chime”?
“Chime” is pronounced chym (/tʃaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “chime” in a sentence?
Here is “chime” used in a sentence: “The wind chimes tinkled softly on the porch.”
What is another word for “chime”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chime” include alarm, bell, buzz, buzzer, carillon and clapper.
What part of speech is “chime”?
Depending on how it is used, “chime” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chime” come from?
The word “chime” comes from Latin. From Middle English chymbe, likely traced back to Latin cymbalum, "cymbal".
How many meanings does “chime” have?
“Chime” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bell-like instrument, or set of them, that rings out a musical note.
