musical
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or used in music
a musical instrument
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harmonious; melodious
musical laughter
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talented in or fond of music
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involving or set to music
a musical evening
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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antimusicalnessnoun
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musicalitynoun
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musicalnessnoun
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nonmusicalnessnoun
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antimusicaladjective
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nonmusicaladjective
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premusicaladjective
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quasi-musicaladjective
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antimusicallyadverb
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musicallyadverb
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nonmusicallyadverb
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premusicallyadverb
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quasi-musicallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of musical
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; from Medieval Latin mūsicālis; see music, -al 1
Explanation
Anything musical has to do with music. Tra la la! If you’re really musical, try out for a musical so you can sing on the big stage. And, if you’re playing musical chairs, better find a seat before the music stops! Musical things have a tune or rhythm, like a robin’s song or "La Cucaracha." Musical instruments, like clarinets and guitars, make music. Or hope to. The bands you’re into reflect your musical tastes. If your parents are musicians, you come from a musical family. When musical is a noun, it's short for "musical drama." The Sound of Music is a musical (film) about the musical (talented singing) Von Trapp family. Guess what they’re into.
Vocabulary lists containing musical
Reading: Literature - Drama - Introductory
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Academy Awards, List 4
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The opera’s main musical theme is a recurring lullaby that Mr. Kolomiiets treats with great flexibility.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
Announcing the plans, Apple Corps chief executive Tom Greene said Liverpool was getting a Beatles destination worthy of the city's musical heritage.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
The property’s musical history is just one of its many distinctive features.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026
The animal appears to be holding an object resembling a musical instrument.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
In terms of notation, Kodály’s exercises do not have to use the regular musical staff.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Other guests in this bloc included a professor who wrote a book about industrial musicals, the aforementioned “influencers group,” and all the attendees who’d just so happened to be named Bill.
From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026
By the mid-1930s both had joined the migration to Hollywood, where lavish musicals lifted Depression spirits with melody, glamour and dance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Theatre-lover Kirsty O'Donnell was a regular visitor to the West End to enjoy musicals and plays.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Shakespeare in the park is the dominant form of outdoor theater, but don’t miss out on seeing Broadway musicals in Rancho Mirage, the ancients at Getty Villa or tableaux come to life in Laguna Beach.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
In musicals, it doesn’t matter how many performers are in a number—all eyes turn to Britney.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
