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
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
1
: a vocal sound
2
: a usually accompanied musical composition for the human voice : song
also
: a performance of such a composition
Synonyms
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
Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Chronic diseases Both Kennedy and Trump have been vocal about tackling the root causes of chronic diseases rather than spending resources on treating those conditions with drugs from the pharmaceutical industry.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
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 
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
Starlink beaming communications to spacecraft, and he's been vocal about humanity one day colonizing Mars.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Chronic diseases Both Kennedy and Trump have been vocal about tackling the root causes of chronic diseases rather than spending resources on treating those conditions with drugs from the pharmaceutical industry.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 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
Dictionary Entries Near vocal
Cite this Entry
“Vocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vocal
2 of 2 noun1
: a vocal sound
2
: a piece of vocal music
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share