musical
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or used in music
a musical instrument
-
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
- 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.
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.
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
Changes unfold quickly, and the melodies are dynamic in a way that recalls musical theater—overlapping sections suggest a narrative progression even when the words are difficult to follow.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
The group’s musical talent has been recognized twice at the Latin Grammy Awards.
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 director of the school musical had set up a meeting to discuss the responsibilities of the house manager.
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
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.
