a cappella

adverb or adjective

a cap·pel·la | \ ˌä-kə-ˈpe-lə

How to pronounce a cappella (audio)

\

variants: or less commonly a capella

Definition of a cappella

: without instrumental accompaniment The choir sang the chants a cappella.

A Cappella Has Italian Roots More Example Sentences Learn More about a cappella

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A Cappella Has Italian Roots

A cappella arrived in English from Italian sometime around the late-18th century. In Italian, a cappella means "in chapel or choir style." Cappella is the Italian word for "chapel"; the English word chapel is ultimately (if independently) derived from the Medieval Latin word cappella, which is the source of the Italian cappella as well. Scholars once thought all "chapel style" music written before the 1600s was performed a cappella, but modern research has revealed that instruments might have doubled or substituted for some voices back then. Today a cappella describes a purely vocal performance.

Examples of a cappella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Harmonists, from 1997, depicts the rise and fall of The Comedian Harmonists, a world-famous Germany a cappella group that, because of its Jewish members, fell afoul of the Nazis. — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, "Joseph Vilsmaier, German Director of 'Stalingrad,' Dies at 81," 12 Feb. 2020 The one honest-to-God jaw-dropping moment in this show came when Cameron a cappella rapped for Lauren’s mom (doubtful this was off the dome. — Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, "It’s time to rate the couples on Netflix’s ‘Love Is Blind’," 22 Feb. 2020 As the audience belted back his a cappella refrains, the 35 years since Live Aid collapsed in on themselves. — Nathan Jolly, Billboard, "Adam Lambert & Queen Revive Live Aid Spirit, Australian Talent Shines at Fire Fight Australia Concert," 16 Feb. 2020 Sung by the a cappella group while serenading someone in the lunchroom. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "The "To All the Boys 2: P.S. I Still Love You" Soundtrack Is Everything You Needed In Life and More," 12 Feb. 2020 The group has won three Grammys and known for their a cappella cover versions of Christmas classics. — Alison Medley, Houston Chronicle, "A cappella group Pentatonix hits high note with Houston fans on holiday tour," 22 Dec. 2019 The music, from 15th to 17th century Europe, is sung a cappella, with different parts of the choir singing different lines at the same time. — Kimberly Fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Hinsdale Central and South Madrigal shows bring festive holiday music," 3 Dec. 2019 With Jill Anna Ponasik and Catie O’Donnell co-directing, expect a twist: This production is mostly a cappella, with a sprinkling of oddball instruments. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "20 enticing Milwaukee concerts and shows in early 2020," 2 Jan. 2020 The minute-long trailer from MGM begins with Hudson silhouetted in sepiatone in some sort of celestial cosmos, singing a verse from the title song nearly a cappella, in a moody arrangement filled as much with portent as soul. — NBC News, "Jennifer Hudson commands 'Respect' as Aretha Franklin in first teaser," 23 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'a cappella.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near a cappella

Acanthus family

Statistics for a cappella

Last Updated

6 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“A cappella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20cappella. Accessed 27 May. 2020.

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