vocal

[voh-kuhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or uttered with the voice.

   the vocal mechanism;

   vocal criticism.

2. rendered by or intended for singing.

   vocal music.

3. having a voice.

   A dog is a vocal, but not a verbal, being.

4. giving forth sound with or as with a voice.

5. inclined to express oneself in words, especially copiously or insistently.

   a vocal advocate of reform.

   Synonyms: outspoken, vociferous

6. Phonetics.

   1. vocalic.

   2. voiced.

noun

1. a vocal sound.

2. a musical piece for a singer, usually with instrumental accompaniment.

vocal

/ ˈvəʊkəl, vəʊˈkælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designed for the voice

   vocal music

2. produced or delivered by the voice

   vocal noises

3. connected with an attribute or the production of the voice

   vocal organs

4. frequently disposed to outspoken speech, criticism, etc

   a vocal minority

5. full of sound or voices

   a vocal assembly

6. endowed with a voice

7. eloquent or meaningful

8. phonetics

   1. of or relating to a speech sound

   2. of or relating to a voiced speech sound, esp a vowel

noun

1. a piece of jazz or pop music that is sung

2. a performance of such a piece of music

Other Word Forms

• vocality noun
• vocalness noun
• vocally adverb
• nonvocal adjective
• nonvocally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin vōcālis, equivalent to vōc- (stem of vōx ) voice + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocal¹

C14: from Latin vōcālis possessed of a voice, from vōx voice

Example Sentences

You go over there with that vocal part there.’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Much of the solo vocal writing is stentorian and talky, moving the story along.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Tisch has been vocal about the failures of progressive criminal justice reform.

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With vocal writing of sublime, deceptive simplicity, “poor hymnal” gifts an unforgettable hour of kindness while becoming a moving manual for unpossessing.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was a discovery Jackman made while they were recording their vocal tracks for the film.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• articulate 
• blunt 
• eloquent 
• expressive 
• forthright 
• outspoken 
• strident 
• vociferous