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

And on nights when the power went out, Cubans gathered in the street to play dominoes or sing classic songs a cappella.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 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

In front of a red velvet curtain with smudged mascara and a crystal teardrop on her cheek, Del Rio delivered a moving a cappella performance of “Llorando,” a Spanish-language take of Roy Orbison’s “Crying.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 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

We do see some kids our own age, including one or two I recognize from the Chumley Prep a cappella group.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein