vocal

1 of 2

adjective

vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl How to pronounce vocal (audio)
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
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
vocality noun
vocally adverb

vocal

2 of 2

noun

1
: a vocal sound
2
: a usually accompanied musical composition for the human voice : song
also : a performance of such a composition

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
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

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin vocalis, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocal was in the 15th century

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.

Kids Definition

vocal

1 of 2 adjective
vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl How to pronounce vocal (audio)
1
: uttered by the voice : oral
2
: composed or arranged for or sung by the human voice
vocal music
3
: speaking freely or loudly : outspoken
a vocal opponent of the new law
4
: of, relating to, or resembling the voice
vocally adverb

vocal

2 of 2 noun
1
: a vocal sound
2
: a piece of vocal music

Medical Definition

vocal

adjective
vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl How to pronounce vocal (audio)
1
: uttered by the voice : oral
2
: having or exercising the power of producing voice, speech, or sound
3
: of, relating to, or resembling the voice
vocal dysfunction due to throat infection
vocality noun
plural vocalities
vocally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on vocal

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