vocalise

¹

[ voh-kuh-leez ]

noun

1. a musical composition consisting of the singing of melody with vowel sounds or nonsense syllables rather than text, as for special effect in classical compositions, in polyphonic jazz singing by special groups, or in virtuoso vocal exercises.
2. any such singing exercise or vocalized melody.

vocalise

²

[ voh-kuh-lahyz ]

verb (used with or without object)

, vo·cal·ised, vo·cal·is·ing.

1. Chiefly British. vocalize.

vocalise

/ ˌvəʊkəˈliːz /

noun

1. a musical passage sung upon one vowel as an exercise to develop flexibility and control of pitch and tone; solfeggio

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocalise¹

1870–75; < French vocalise, apparently noun derivative of vocaliser to vocalize, with -ise taken as a noun suffix ( -ise ² )

Example Sentences

There are, I am aware, certain races who are unable to vocalise certain sounds and accordingly modify them.

From Project Gutenberg

These are followed by a vocalise or two, and a couple of songs or arias, which fill out the thirty minutes.

From Project Gutenberg

Il vocalise rarement, mais en revanche, il fait des bruits nasaux divers.

From Project Gutenberg