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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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:
A sequel to Kpop Demon Hunters is also in the works, while Netflix is reportedly considering, external other follow-up projects such as a television series and stage musical.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
There, one song evoked a musical conception he had imagined but never achieved—“it dealt with space, and a logic that rhymed and was almost obtuse,” Mr. Batiste once told me.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
A CFP serves a role more akin, in musical terms, to a conductor.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
For Monroy, playing Valens’ music on Saturday will represent a “full circle” moment in her musical journey.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Rather than a system, Schulwerk combines instruments, singing, movement, and speech to develop children’s innate musical abilities.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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
Grammy Award winner Pink is hosting for the first time, and though the pop star lacks direct Broadway roots, her songs have been featured in the jukebox musicals “Moulin Rouge!” and “& Juliet.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
The only thing I’m unconditional about is dessert, and how much I love Feather and musicals.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
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.
