vocal

1 of 2

adjective

vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl How to pronounce vocal (audio)
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
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
vocality noun
vocally 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for vocal 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near vocal

Cite this Entry

“Vocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocal. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

vocal

1 of 2 adjective
vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl How to pronounce vocal (audio)
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 adverb

vocal

2 of 2 noun
1
: a vocal sound
2
: a piece of vocal music

Medical Definition

vocal

adjective
vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl How to pronounce vocal (audio)
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 noun
plural vocalities
vocally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on vocal

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