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

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

“When I Needed You” climaxed with a moving a cappella singalong that had virtually the entire crowd belting Jepsen’s lines about discovering how far is too far to go to accommodate a selfish partner.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2025

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

From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2025

There was a piano at the audition but not at the show, so he got up onstage and sang a Brian McKnight song a cappella.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell