musical

American  

[myoo-zi-kuhl] / ˈmyu zɪ kəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or producing music.

   a musical instrument.

   Synonyms:

   lyric, sweet, melodic, dulcet, tuneful

2. of the nature of or resembling music; melodious; harmonious.

3. fond of or skilled in music.

4. set to or accompanied by music.

   a musical entertainment.

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noun

1. a play or movie in which the storyline is interspersed with or developed by songs, dances, and the like.

musical British  

/ ˈmjuːzɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in music

   a musical instrument

2. harmonious; melodious

   musical laughter

3. talented in or fond of music

4. involving or set to music

   a musical evening

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noun

1. short for musical comedy

musical Cultural  

1. A play or film that contains musical numbers. Musicals can be comedic (see musical comedy) or serious in tone, such as Porgy and Bess.

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Other Word Forms

• antimusical adjective
• antimusically adverb
• antimusicalness noun
• musicality noun
• musically adverb
• musicalness noun
• nonmusical adjective
• nonmusically adverb
• nonmusicalness noun
• premusical adjective
• premusically adverb
• quasi-musical adjective
• quasi-musically adverb

Etymology

Origin of musical

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; from Medieval Latin mūsicālis; 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.

Example Sentences

In high school, I played Dulcinea in the musical “Man of La Mancha.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Like a musical Solomon, Lipman split the baby—avoiding the passé waltz while retaining its inherent groove with those persistent triplets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Say you’re in search of an air-conditioned place to rest your weary feet while a visual and musical spectacle plays out before you, where do you go?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Sonza doesn't see musical genres and their rhythms as a label to fit into, but rather "as the feelings I had to sing about."

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The wild metals writhed, moving towers and turrets around like musical chairs.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• choral
• melodic
• operatic
• rhythmic
• symphonic
• vocal