musical
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or used in music
a musical instrument
-
harmonious; melodious
musical laughter
-
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.
In high school, I played Dulcinea in the musical “Man of La Mancha.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
Yet it was not just a celebration of Karol’s country people; but a musical welcome wagon, extended from Latin America to the rest of the world.
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
Accepting the award for best new musical, Paddington writer Jessica Swale said it had been "such an honour to be trusted with a very special bear", while Fletcher said the company had become "a family".
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026
Some parents chatting with Dad find out that not only is he a Chumley Prep music instructor, but he is also the composer of several show tunes that could become a musical.
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.
