vocal

[ voh-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or uttered with the voice:

   the vocal mechanism;

   vocal criticism.

2. rendered by or intended for singing:

   vocal music.

3. having a voice:

   A dog is a vocal, but not a verbal, being.

4. giving forth sound with or as with a voice.
5. inclined to express oneself in words, especially copiously or insistently:

   a vocal advocate of reform.

   Synonyms: outspoken, vociferous

6. Phonetics.
   1. vocalic ( def 1 ).
   2. voiced.

noun

1. a vocal sound.
2. a musical piece for a singer, usually with instrumental accompaniment. Compare instrumental ( def 6 ).

vocal

/ ˈvəʊkəl; vəʊˈkælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designed for the voice

   vocal music

2. produced or delivered by the voice

   vocal noises

3. connected with an attribute or the production of the voice

   vocal organs

4. frequently disposed to outspoken speech, criticism, etc

   a vocal minority

5. full of sound or voices

   a vocal assembly

6. endowed with a voice
7. eloquent or meaningful
8. phonetics
   1. of or relating to a speech sound
   2. of or relating to a voiced speech sound, esp a vowel

noun

1. a piece of jazz or pop music that is sung
2. a performance of such a piece of music

Derived Forms

• vocality, noun
• ˈvocally, adverb

Other Words From

• vo·cal·i·ty [voh-, kal, -i-tee], vo·cal·ness noun
• vo·cal·ly adverb
• non·vo·cal adjective noun
• non·vo·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin vōcālis, equivalent to vōc- (stem of vōx ) voice + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocal¹

C14: from Latin vōcālis possessed of a voice, from vōx voice

Example Sentences

“Return to Cookie Mountain” featured guest vocals from David Bowie, a fan, and was named the best album of the year by Spin magazine.

From New York Times

He opposes drinking water fluoridation and has been a vocal skeptic of vaccines for decades.

From Salon

The new "ultimate mix" blends vocals from several versions of the charity single that have been recorded over the years, so that George Michael duets with Harry Styles, and Chris Martin harmonises with the Sugababes.

From BBC

In 1960 he left South Africa for a self-imposed exile, mostly in Europe, but he continued to be a vocal critic of the apartheid regime.

From BBC

During his first administration, Trump was a vocal critic of the ICC, imposing severe sanctions on its prosecutors and judges for looking into potential American war crimes in Afghanistan.

From Salon

Related Words

• articulate
• blunt
• eloquent
• expressive
• forthright
• outspoken
• strident
• vociferous