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

The film will star vocal talent from the series including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Bluey’s mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit Heeler, and music created by Bluey composer Joff Bush. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

As part of this, Apple has been very vocal about privacy, stating that its AI features are offered partly on the device and in its Private Cloud Compute. —Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

Nicole Scherzinger, too, is undeniable, bringing astounding vocals and haunting desperation to vampiric Hollywood has-been Norma Desmond. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

And then there’s Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language musical that perfectly complements its genre-bending storyline with audacious mixes and impressive vocals. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Dec. 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