English
singer
Singer comes from Middle English synger ‘a singer’, and goes back to singen.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500singen
- Middle English, derivedc. 1150–1500synger‘a singer’
- Englishtodaysinger
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500singen
- Middle English, derivedc. 1150–1500synger‘a singer’
- Englishtodaysinger
Formed from sing + -er
Proto-Indo-European *sengʷʰ- ‘to recite’
Proto-Germanic *singwaną ‘to sing’
Proto-West Germanic *singwan ‘to sing’
Old English singan ‘to sing’
Middle English singen ‘to produce chants or other sung verse’
English sing
Linked words
through Middle English singen
Today it means
noun A person who sings, often professionally.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English singen / singer