Usage Note
Fredonner specifically means to hum a melody softly, without fully singing the words. It is more delicate than chantonner (to hum or sing softly in a more general sense). The word appears in many literary descriptions of characters absorbed in thought or in a pleasant mood, making it a useful addition to descriptive writing.
Examples
"Elle fredonnait une vieille chanson en faisant la cuisine."
Natural Translation
She was humming an old song while cooking.
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