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

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

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

“You pull it out of the piano, you put it on the harp, it’s still working, you take out of the harp, you sing it a cappella, it’s still working, good song.”

From Salon • Aug. 13, 2025

“Become my assistant again. You know—like when you helped me at the a cappella contest.”

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