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:
While Tina Turner didn’t draw many honky-tonk regulars into her fold with this big swing, the album has since won renewed appreciation for Turner’s way of returning country to its Black musical roots.
From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026
After Parton’s death, numerous musical artists posted tributes to her on social media.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026
That solution: big-name musical acts simply charging market-clearing prices for their tickets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, writer and composer Richard O'Brien, who co-wrote the musical and film, remembered the actor as "a wonderful man by nature who was also a wonderful performer".
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
All of these songs have musical characteristics particular to the genre from which they emerged.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
In the early decades of Hollywood musicals, ballet had been at most a secondary art, especially compared to the prevalence of tap dance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
She starred in films alongside Alec Guinness, Fred Astaire and Peter O'Toole and appeared in musicals in New York and London.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
Davies, who made the Strictly Come Dancing final last year, has had other roles in musicals, including Pretty Woman and 9 to 5.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
But his wish list of non-woke repertory, which also included Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, draws on an attachment that predates his entry into national politics: Broadway musicals.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
He wanted to write musicals and conduct Broadway orchestras.
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
