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
• vocally adverb
• vocalness noun
• 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

On tour, he started steroids to ease the strain on his vocal chords but took too high a dosage, which weakened his immune system.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Women ululated—a rousing, high-pitched vocal sound usually reserved for joyous events like festivals and weddings.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The England Supporters Travel Club have long tried to improve the atmosphere at home matches and only last month asked members for suggestions about "improving the visual and vocal atmosphere".

Read more on BBC

A large New York Philharmonic, vocal soloists and chorus assembled on a CBS sound stage for a live national television broadcast.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

EA has been vocal about its plans to use generative AI in game development, and its prospective new owners are betting on the technology to boost profits, according to The Financial Times.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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