vocal

American  

[voh-kuhl] / ˈvoʊ kəl /

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.

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noun

1. a vocal sound.

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

vocal British  

/ 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

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noun

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

2. a performance of such a piece of music

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of vocal

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

Example Sentences

Her wide vocal range and commanding stage presence were praised by critics and won Scherzinger an Olivier and a Tony Award.

From BBC

The acoustic properties of Ms. Devlin’s tunnel also noticeably helped with their vocal projection over the large orchestra.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some companies have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with California’s business environment.

From Los Angeles Times

The smoothness of Sheeran’s vocals is almost a distraction here, but not quite.

From Salon

The decision to cast Chadran prompted backlash from a vocal set of fans, but it wasn't her lack of familiarity with the source material that upset them.

From BBC

Related Words

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