vocalize

verb

vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz 

vocalized; vocalizing

transitive verb

1

: to give voice to : utter

specifically : sing

2

a

: to make voiced rather than voiceless : voice

b

: to convert to a vowel

3

: to furnish (something, such as a consonantal Hebrew or Arabic text) with vowels or vowel points

intransitive verb

1

: to utter vocal sounds

2

: sing

specifically : to sing without words

vocalization

ˌvō-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

vocalizer

ˈvō-kə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of vocalize

• say
• utter
• tell
• talk
• speak
• discuss
• share
• verbalize

Examples of vocalize in a Sentence

The male bird vocalizes to attract a mate.

she's not one to vocalize her worries

Recent Examples on the Web

In May, the second edition of México Canta was announced during Sheinbaum’s daily news conference, generating online buzz when famed corrido tumbado singer Junior H vocalized support for the contest — while also lamenting his past musical choices. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Silence fills the monastery usually when prayers are not vocalized or sung. — Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026

One of his newest ads has voters helping to vocalize that sentiment. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Video shows the monkeys in their natural habitat vocalizing while in trees. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for vocalize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

vocalize

verb

vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz 

vocalized; vocalizing

: to give voice to

especially : sing entry 1 sense 1a

vocalizer

ˈvō-kə-ˌlī-zər 

noun