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
Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
An unlikely coalition of progressives and conservative lawmakers formed last year in a push to end these warrantless searches, many of the Republicans involved vocal critics of the FBI following its misuse of FISA to target a Trump campaign staffer in 2016.
—Dell Cameron, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
His quiet confidence as a freshman starter has become more vocal when necessary, lighter and encouraging when things are tense.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Fans criticizing the vocal quality of Rio’s verse may not realize it was recorded from a jail phone.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Swift first announced her 11th studio album at the 2024 Grammys while accepting the best pop vocal prize for Midnights, later confirming that both Post Malone and Florence + The Machine will make guest appearances on the project.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024
The woman’s vocal line is doubled at one point by a violin with pathos, and is virtually replaced at another by an electric guitar solo.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The Colorado Republican has been an extremely vocal critic of his party, namely of his colleague’s support of former President Donald Trump’s election interference claims.
—Cailey Gleeson, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Russia and Israel’s relations have already been strained by the war, and Mr. Putin has emerged as a vocal critic of Israel.
—Victoria Kim, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 2024
Her pop spectacle channeled 2000s-era Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera with fierce choreography and powerhouse vocals.
—Lucas Villa, Allure, 12 Apr. 2024
The higher-register brass, strings, and vocals are bright and maintain their prominence in the mix.
—PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
The album arrived on March 1 with the former Oasis member helming vocals across the album while Squire, of the Stone Roses, serves as lead guitarist and songwriter.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
The arrangement, which includes part of the Beatles’ original version and stunning backing vocals from the four newcomers, is too good not to find the broadest possible audience.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
The songstress has already established a legacy rooted in her captivating vocals and songwriting, both as a soloist and band member of Fleetwood Mac.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
If the model insists on adding some sort of vocals, maybe the next version will have more discernible language.
—Emilia David, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
Keith and Combs trade lines on the mixtape version, with Diffie's original vocals interspersed throughout.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Tom Holland’s longtime partner Zendaya has been vocal about this issue.
—Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
An unlikely coalition of progressives and conservative lawmakers formed last year in a push to end these warrantless searches, many of the Republicans involved vocal critics of the FBI following its misuse of FISA to target a Trump campaign staffer in 2016.
—Dell Cameron, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
His quiet confidence as a freshman starter has become more vocal when necessary, lighter and encouraging when things are tense.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Fans criticizing the vocal quality of Rio’s verse may not realize it was recorded from a jail phone.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Swift first announced her 11th studio album at the 2024 Grammys while accepting the best pop vocal prize for Midnights, later confirming that both Post Malone and Florence + The Machine will make guest appearances on the project.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024
The woman’s vocal line is doubled at one point by a violin with pathos, and is virtually replaced at another by an electric guitar solo.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The Colorado Republican has been an extremely vocal critic of his party, namely of his colleague’s support of former President Donald Trump’s election interference claims.
—Cailey Gleeson, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Russia and Israel’s relations have already been strained by the war, and Mr. Putin has emerged as a vocal critic of Israel.
—Victoria Kim, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
They were helmed on this night by the invaluable longtime wingman Mac McAnally, who handled lead vocals and emcee duties for a memorial service that felt like anything but.
—Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 2024
Her pop spectacle channeled 2000s-era Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera with fierce choreography and powerhouse vocals.
—Lucas Villa, Allure, 12 Apr. 2024
The higher-register brass, strings, and vocals are bright and maintain their prominence in the mix.
—PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
The album arrived on March 1 with the former Oasis member helming vocals across the album while Squire, of the Stone Roses, serves as lead guitarist and songwriter.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
The arrangement, which includes part of the Beatles’ original version and stunning backing vocals from the four newcomers, is too good not to find the broadest possible audience.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
The songstress has already established a legacy rooted in her captivating vocals and songwriting, both as a soloist and band member of Fleetwood Mac.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
If the model insists on adding some sort of vocals, maybe the next version will have more discernible language.
—Emilia David, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
Keith and Combs trade lines on the mixtape version, with Diffie's original vocals interspersed throughout.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vocal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near vocal
Cite this Entry
“Vocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocal. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vocal
2 of 2 noun1
: a vocal sound
2
: a piece of vocal music
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