musical

American  

[myoo-zi-kuhl] / ˈmyu zɪ kəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or producing music.

   a musical instrument.

   Synonyms:

   lyric, sweet, melodic, dulcet, tuneful

2. of the nature of or resembling music; melodious; harmonious.

3. fond of or skilled in music.

4. set to or accompanied by music.

   a musical entertainment.

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noun

1. a play or movie in which the storyline is interspersed with or developed by songs, dances, and the like.

musical British  

/ ˈmjuːzɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in music

   a musical instrument

2. harmonious; melodious

   musical laughter

3. talented in or fond of music

4. involving or set to music

   a musical evening

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noun

1. short for musical comedy

musical Cultural  

1. A play or film that contains musical numbers. Musicals can be comedic (see musical comedy) or serious in tone, such as Porgy and Bess.

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Other Word Forms

• antimusical adjective
• antimusically adverb
• antimusicalness noun
• musicality noun
• musically adverb
• musicalness noun
• nonmusical adjective
• nonmusically adverb
• nonmusicalness noun
• premusical adjective
• premusically adverb
• quasi-musical adjective
• quasi-musically adverb

Etymology

Origin of musical

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; from Medieval Latin mūsicālis; see music, -al ¹

Explanation

Anything musical has to do with music. Tra la la! If you’re really musical, try out for a musical so you can sing on the big stage. And, if you’re playing musical chairs, better find a seat before the music stops! Musical things have a tune or rhythm, like a robin’s song or "La Cucaracha." Musical instruments, like clarinets and guitars, make music. Or hope to. The bands you’re into reflect your musical tastes. If your parents are musicians, you come from a musical family. When musical is a noun, it's short for "musical drama." The Sound of Music is a musical (film) about the musical (talented singing) Von Trapp family. Guess what they’re into.

Example Sentences

Jamaican musical fads and Jamaican sound systems became permanent British presences.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

"He was very gangly and geeky," recalled Pickering - who had a major musical career of his own with M People and as a DJ, which is recounted in his new book Manchester Must Dance.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

And now the estate’s sanctioned box office success story, “Michael,” an absurd, sanitized musical biopic, has audiences dancing in the aisles during the concert numbers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

“The Lost Boys,” a musical spun from Joel Schumacher’s 1987 horror comedy, won me over despite my antipathy to vampire schlock.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

His dialect was Eastern, but without the musical cadence I associated with Litvaks like Frankie.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Related Words

• choral
• melodic
• operatic
• rhythmic
• symphonic
• vocal