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.

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a cappella British  

/ ɑː kəˈpɛlə /

adjective

1. music without instrumental accompaniment

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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.

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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

He along with Houston co-star and producer Kevin Costner argued for an a cappella beginning and slow build.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

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

It plays softly in the background, and then Bono sings it, solo, a cappella.

From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2025

It had filled with colleagues and students and meditation teachers and therapists and nurses and a cappella groups.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom