musical

[myoo-zi-kuhl]

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.

noun

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

musical

/ 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

noun

1. short for musical comedy

musical

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of musical¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; from Medieval Latin mūsicālis; music, -al ¹

Example Sentences

When it comes to the superlative, time-eclipsing musical achievements of The Beatles, technological innovation has been there every step of the way.

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“I label each section—verse, chorus, bridge. And then I give Suno direction on the musical style.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Nancy Shear wasn’t yet out of her teens when she was hired as musical assistant to the eminent and enigmatic symphony conductor Leopold Stokowski, who became her mentor and a father figure of sorts.

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Starting anew, even for musical deities, can be a bumpy road.

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Hammerstein also taught him a lot about musical theater, but Sondheim might have had trouble answering which lessons brought him more joy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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