Chanting: meaning, definitions and examples

Chanting is often used in a religious or spiritual context where a phrase or series of phrases are sung or spoken in a repetitive, rhythmic manner.

• The monks were chanting their evening prayers in the temple
• The crowd began chanting slogans during the protest

Reciting means repeating something from memory, often in a formal or educational setting. This word is commonly used when referring to poetry, speeches, or scripts.

• He was reciting his lines for the school play
• The children were reciting their multiplication tables in unison

Intoning implies speaking or singing in a particular tone or pitch. It is often associated with formal or ceremonial contexts, sometimes giving a solemn or serious impression.

• The priest was intoning the liturgy
• She intoned the words with gravity, making everyone in the room listen

Repeating is a general term used when something is said or done again and again. It can be used in everyday conversations without any formal or specific connotations.

• She kept repeating the instructions to make sure everyone understood
• They were repeating the same mistake over and over again

Used when a group of people are singing or shouting the same words repeatedly, often in a religious ceremony or a protest.

• The crowd started chanting slogans in support of their cause.
• The monks were chanting ancient hymns in the monastery.

Implies saying something from memory, such as a poem or a piece of literature, often in front of an audience.

• He can recite the entire poem from memory.
• During the ceremony, she recited a beautiful passage from the novel.

Refers to saying or doing something again, often for emphasis or instruction.

• Could you please repeat the last sentence? I didn't hear it.
• The teacher asked the students to repeat the new vocabulary words.