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
Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Gomez has been more vocal about the threat to journalism posed by the FCC’s aggressive stance on subjective questions of media bias.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025
Of those, 10 came with vocals from late singer Chester Bennington or rapper/singer Mike Shinoda, while new vocalist Emily Armstrong has taken the reins of the two most recent rulers alongside Shinoda.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for vocal 
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Adjective
Recent years have taken him to the Broadway stage, while he’s also become a vocal cryptocurrency critic.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Gomez has been more vocal about the threat to journalism posed by the FCC’s aggressive stance on subjective questions of media bias.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
From there, the tribute would feature the Soul Rebels, Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band, the Spirit of New Orleans Gospel Choir and — of course — a return of Connick to add some of his vocals and musicality to the mix as the tribute drew to a close.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025
Of those, 10 came with vocals from late singer Chester Bennington or rapper/singer Mike Shinoda, while new vocalist Emily Armstrong has taken the reins of the two most recent rulers alongside Shinoda.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2025
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 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vocal
2 of 2 noun1
: a vocal sound
2
: a piece of vocal music
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