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

Mastro, who as a Yale University undergraduate was in an a cappella group called Redhot & Blue, also serenaded his party guests with one of his favorite songs: Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

Earlier in the day, Hill and Jean surprised fans with a pop-up appearance in London's Piccadilly Circus, performing an a cappella rendition of Ready or Not.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

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

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

Now it sounded like her math teacher that one time he had tried to perform a cappella but had stepped on a Lego piece.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi