vocalist

American  

[voh-kuh-list] / ˈvoʊ kə lɪst /

noun

vocalists plural

1. a singer.

---

vocalist British  

/ ˈvəʊkəlɪst /

noun

1. a singer, esp one who regularly appears with a jazz band or pop group

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vocalists
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vocalist

First recorded in 1605–15; vocal + -ist

Explanation

Another word for a singer is a vocalist. A large band might include a dozen musicians, a lead vocalist, and a couple of backup vocalists to harmonize. In jazz, it's particularly common to refer to singers as vocalists — it's a way to emphasize that they are musicians, just like the saxophonist and drummer, only a vocalist's instrument is her voice. A guest vocalist might appear on your favorite band's new album, or a band might hire backing vocalists when they perform live. In the early 17th century, this word meant "speaker." It wasn't until the 19th century that the meaning changed to "singer."

Example Sentences

With multiple albums under her belt, Selena was then able to dominate the Tejano Music Awards; she won the title of Female Vocalist of the Year in 1987.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2025

Come learn why Greta Matassa was named the 2021 Northwest Jazz Vocalist of the Year by Earshot Jazz as she performs new contemporary jazz material with her recent sextet.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 16, 2023

Vocalist Jeffery Kenny sang between two backup dancers wearing gas masks as images of nuclear warning signs displayed on screens behind them.

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2022

Vocalist Kim Seok-jin, who goes by Jin, faces a December enlistment deadline.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2022

This may be found, vocalized with full harmony, in the American Vocalist.

From The Story of the Hymns and Tunes by Brown, Theron