mu·si·cal
ˈmyü-zi-kəl 
2
: having an interest in or talent for music
3
: set to or accompanied by music
4
: of or relating to musicians or music lovers
1
archaic
: musicale
2
: a film or theatrical production typically of a sentimental or humorous nature that consists of musical numbers and dialogue based on a unifying plot
Synonyms
Examples of musical in a Sentence
Adjective
She has a very musical voice.
the musical sounds of the babbling brook
Recent Examples on the Web
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
The 36-year-old’s most recent musical output came with a pair of singles in late 2022 for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
During their official musical guest appearance on the late-night show, Heart performed a more biting record.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
The Tony Guerrero Band will accompany musical performers including Antonia Bennett, daughter of the late Tony Bennett, and Broadway star Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer will also take the stage.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
The album was conceived before the 2023 death of Tina Turner, one of her musical mothers.
—Brooklyn White, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Recording could rescue whole musical genres from oblivion; Gould pointed out that recordings were a major factor in the postwar restoration of baroque music, especially on original instruments, to the marketplace.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
The government's crackdown on certain musical tempos would silence most modern music genres.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
On TV, Ryan Gosling hosts the new episode of Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Chris Stapleton.
—Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
During last year’s 40th anniversary of the pop classic, Tyler told the Guardian that songwriter Jim Steinman originally began work on it for a possible musical about Nosferatu.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
Entertainment & Arts Commentary: What a difference a revival makes: Two famously tricky Sondheim musicals shine in new outings
Jan. 5, 2023
Romantic love may remain our most popular narrative, but adult friendship has become a very close second.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
And now her tunes have been fashioned into a musical about her life, art and activism.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Michael has played many roles in both plays and musicals throughout his high school career.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
Broadway has always had more flops than successes, and the post-pandemic period has been challenging for producers and investors, especially those involved in new musicals.
—New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
The sibling trio posed together for photos before walking into the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End to watch the Tony Award-winning musical based on their father’s life.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
The 77th Tony Awards will recognize musicals and plays from the 2023-2024 season.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The film’s snaky on-and-off power begins with the British actor Marisa Abela, whose lead performance nails Amy Winehouse in every look, mood, utterance, and musical expression.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
The 36-year-old’s most recent musical output came with a pair of singles in late 2022 for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
During their official musical guest appearance on the late-night show, Heart performed a more biting record.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
The Tony Guerrero Band will accompany musical performers including Antonia Bennett, daughter of the late Tony Bennett, and Broadway star Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer will also take the stage.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
The album was conceived before the 2023 death of Tina Turner, one of her musical mothers.
—Brooklyn White, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Recording could rescue whole musical genres from oblivion; Gould pointed out that recordings were a major factor in the postwar restoration of baroque music, especially on original instruments, to the marketplace.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
The government's crackdown on certain musical tempos would silence most modern music genres.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
On TV, Ryan Gosling hosts the new episode of Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Chris Stapleton.
—Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
Noun
From putting on a musical to taking the day off, here are what some schools are planning for April 8.
—USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
During last year’s 40th anniversary of the pop classic, Tyler told the Guardian that songwriter Jim Steinman originally began work on it for a possible musical about Nosferatu.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
Entertainment & Arts Commentary: What a difference a revival makes: Two famously tricky Sondheim musicals shine in new outings
Jan. 5, 2023
Romantic love may remain our most popular narrative, but adult friendship has become a very close second.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
And now her tunes have been fashioned into a musical about her life, art and activism.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Michael has played many roles in both plays and musicals throughout his high school career.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
Broadway has always had more flops than successes, and the post-pandemic period has been challenging for producers and investors, especially those involved in new musicals.
—New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
The sibling trio posed together for photos before walking into the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End to watch the Tony Award-winning musical based on their father’s life.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
The 77th Tony Awards will recognize musicals and plays from the 2023-2024 season.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'musical.' 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 musical
Cite this Entry
“Musical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/musical. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
musical
1 of 2 adjective
mu·si·cal
ˈmyü-zi-kəl
1
a
: of or relating to music or the writing or performance of music
musical instruments
b
: having the pleasing harmonious qualities of music
a musical voice
2
: fond of or gifted in music
a musical family
3
: set to or accompanied by music
musical
2 of 2 noun
: a film or play that tells a story and that includes both musical numbers and dialogue
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