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
Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Rodrigo was a vocal Swift fan throughout the rollout of Sour and publicly became friendly with the superstar.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
The idea was that a higher share of revenues would convince some First Nations groups to become vocal supporters of oil and gas projects.
—Amy Westervelt, The New Republic, 12 Sep. 2023
One rare exception to this dispiriting paradigm shift is the twenty-year-old former Disney star and vocal powerhouse Olivia Rodrigo.
—Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2023
Prices aside, some diners just want smaller portions — Garrett says people from the weight-loss surgery community, who can’t eat large quantities of food at one sitting, are a vocal subset of her supportive commenters.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023
Jealous also shortened the name of the People, Culture and Equity Department - which includes the equity team and the human resources team - to the People Department and hired a vocal critic of its past work from outside the organization to lead it.
—Maxine Joselow, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023
Representatives of Florida State and Clemson had been the most vocal about possibly seeking to leave the ACC in the coming years.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 1 Sep. 2023
Florida State has been especially vocal opposing expansion and has threatened to leave the ACC, signaling the seismic shifts that began two years ago when Texas and Oklahoma agreed to leave the Big 12 to join the SEC may not be over.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Aug. 2023
His unique blend of raspy yet smooth vocals and sugary bachata sounds sets him apart.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2023
Damian Pacheco, who plays the twelve-string guitar, and Ulises González, who handles acoustic guitar and backing vocals, joined the group just as the sibling duo had started to transition from playing in backyards to a small group of dedicated fans.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 29 Aug. 2023
The theme song was cranked out in 2½ hours, and Wasserman said Haim told him that Fox went crazy over it and that the recording with his vocals would be on the show.
—Chaz Kangas, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2023
The members of Sainted elevated their soulful vocals with sleek synchronized movements onstage, inspiring Vergara, along with judges Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel, to get out of their seats and get their groove on.
—USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2023
At age 67, Lydon’s vocals retain punk rawness but can also veer into quieter, purposeful modes to suit his lyrical brilliance.
—Armond White, National Review, 23 Aug. 2023
Price, who produced the record, also contributed vocals, guitar, and percussion.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2023
Some familiar allies also dropped by to add vocals: Mobile area songwriter Eric Erdman and Australian duo Julz Parker and Leesa Gentz, aka the Hussy Hicks.
—Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al, 21 Aug. 2023
See More
Adjective
Awards Jessica Chastain covers her face but bares her soul as Tammy Faye Bakker
Dec. 29, 2021
Chastain has been a vocal supporter of the actors’ strike and wore a shirt representing SAG-AFTRA at the Venice Film Festival.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Rodrigo was a vocal Swift fan throughout the rollout of Sour and publicly became friendly with the superstar.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
The idea was that a higher share of revenues would convince some First Nations groups to become vocal supporters of oil and gas projects.
—Amy Westervelt, The New Republic, 12 Sep. 2023
One rare exception to this dispiriting paradigm shift is the twenty-year-old former Disney star and vocal powerhouse Olivia Rodrigo.
—Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2023
Prices aside, some diners just want smaller portions — Garrett says people from the weight-loss surgery community, who can’t eat large quantities of food at one sitting, are a vocal subset of her supportive commenters.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023
Jealous also shortened the name of the People, Culture and Equity Department - which includes the equity team and the human resources team - to the People Department and hired a vocal critic of its past work from outside the organization to lead it.
—Maxine Joselow, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023
Representatives of Florida State and Clemson had been the most vocal about possibly seeking to leave the ACC in the coming years.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 1 Sep. 2023
Florida State has been especially vocal opposing expansion and has threatened to leave the ACC, signaling the seismic shifts that began two years ago when Texas and Oklahoma agreed to leave the Big 12 to join the SEC may not be over.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
Noun
Some were soft singers, others delivered powerhouse vocals.
—Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Aug. 2023
His unique blend of raspy yet smooth vocals and sugary bachata sounds sets him apart.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2023
Damian Pacheco, who plays the twelve-string guitar, and Ulises González, who handles acoustic guitar and backing vocals, joined the group just as the sibling duo had started to transition from playing in backyards to a small group of dedicated fans.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 29 Aug. 2023
The theme song was cranked out in 2½ hours, and Wasserman said Haim told him that Fox went crazy over it and that the recording with his vocals would be on the show.
—Chaz Kangas, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2023
The members of Sainted elevated their soulful vocals with sleek synchronized movements onstage, inspiring Vergara, along with judges Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel, to get out of their seats and get their groove on.
—USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2023
At age 67, Lydon’s vocals retain punk rawness but can also veer into quieter, purposeful modes to suit his lyrical brilliance.
—Armond White, National Review, 23 Aug. 2023
Price, who produced the record, also contributed vocals, guitar, and percussion.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2023
Some familiar allies also dropped by to add vocals: Mobile area songwriter Eric Erdman and Australian duo Julz Parker and Leesa Gentz, aka the Hussy Hicks.
—Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al, 21 Aug. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Phrases Containing vocal
Dictionary Entries Near vocal
Cite this Entry
“Vocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocal. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
vocal
2 of 2 noun1
: a vocal sound
2
: a piece of vocal music
More from Merriam-Webster on vocal
Nglish: Translation of vocal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of vocal for Arabic Speakers
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