a cappella

American  

[ah kuh-pel-uh, ah kahp-pel-lah] / ˌɑ kəˈpɛl ə, ˌɑ kɑpˈpɛl lɑ /

adverb

Music.

1. Sometimes acappella without instrumental accompaniment.

2. in the style of church or chapel music.

---

a cappella British  

/ ɑː kəˈpɛlə /

adjective

1. music without instrumental accompaniment

---

a cappella Cultural  

1. Choral singing performed without instruments. The expression means “in chapel style” in Italian. Centuries ago, religious music composed for use in chapels — which, unlike large churches, had no organs — was usually for voices only.

---

Etymology

Origin of a cappella

First recorded in 1875–80; from Italian: literally, “in the manner of a chapel (choir)”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

a cappella

“I loved my brother,” he sings, a cappella.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

Garcia played guitar on the couple’s 1975 album, “Keith & Donna,” and harmonized with the pair on the a cappella track “Who Was John.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2025

The exhibit also commissioned the first-ever recording of “El Pendón Estrellado,” sung by the a cappella ensemble Coral Cantigas under the musical direction of Diana Sáez.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2025

But who would watch a show about Charlotte and Harry, and LTW and Herbert, living and loving and occasionally hooting in support of their friend’s corny a cappella outfit?

From Salon ● May 29, 2025

I started in on an a cappella version of the latest Oscar Mayer commercial, hoping he might join in once the spirit moved him.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris