vocal

1 of 2

adjective

vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl 

1

a

: uttered by the voice : oral

b

: produced in the larynx : uttered with voice

2

a

: given to expressing oneself freely or insistently : outspoken

a highly vocal critic

b

: having or exercising the power of producing voice, speech, or sound

c

: expressive

d

: full of voices : resounding

e

: expressed in words

3

: relating to, composed or arranged for, or sung by the human voice

vocal music

4

: of, relating to, or resembling the voice

vocal impairment

5

: vocalic

vocality

vō-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

vocally

ˈvō-kə-lē 

adverb

vocal

2 of 2

noun

1

: a vocal sound

2

: a usually accompanied musical composition for the human voice : song

also : a performance of such a composition

Synonyms

Adjective

• oral
• spoken
• uttered
• voiced

Noun

• ballad
• ditty
• jingle
• lay
• lyric
• song

Examples of vocal in a Sentence

Adjective

music with vocal and instrumental parts

She is a vocal critic of the new law.

He was very vocal in his criticism of me.

Noun

a recording artist who arranges his own vocals

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Taylor Luck Yet causing unease are the nominations by Mr. Trump of several prospective Cabinet members or other key officials who are vocal or financial supporters of Israeli settler groups that are violently driving Palestinian families off their lands. —Fatima Abdulkarim, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024

Not much is known about her husband since the actress is very vocal in keeping her relationship out of the public eye. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 19 Nov. 2024

Noun

Everything else about the track sounds clean and present, including the percussion and Lamar and Rihanna's vocals. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

The band played a medley of midtempo, downbeat, and atmospheric arrangements, with Glasper providing sparse, complimentary vocals and jokingly claiming credit whenever one of the musicians would turn in an impressive solo performance. —William E. Ketchum Iii, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin vocalis, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vocal

• vocal cords
• vocal folds

Kids Definition

vocal

1 of 2 adjective

vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl 

1

: uttered by the voice : oral

2

: composed or arranged for or sung by the human voice

vocal music

3

: speaking freely or loudly : outspoken

a vocal opponent of the new law

4

: of, relating to, or resembling the voice

vocally

-kə-lē 

adverb

vocal

2 of 2 noun

1

: a vocal sound

2

: a piece of vocal music

Medical Definition

vocal

adjective

vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl 

1

: uttered by the voice : oral

2

: having or exercising the power of producing voice, speech, or sound

3

: of, relating to, or resembling the voice

vocal dysfunction due to throat infection

vocality

vō-ˈkal-ət-ē 

noun

plural vocalities

vocally

ˈvō-kə-lē 

adverb