vocal

1 of 3

adjective

vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl 

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

: expressive

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

vocality

vō-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

vocally

ˈvō-kə-lē 

adverb

vocal

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: a vocal sound

2

: a usually accompanied musical composition for the human voice : song

also : a performance of such a composition

vocality

3 of 3

noun (2)

vo·​cal·​i·​ty vōˈkalətē 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

1

: possession or exercise of vocal powers

the orator accompanied his fine vocality with a series of six gestures

—S. H. Adams

2

: the quality or state of being vocal

specifically : the quality or state of being voiced or vocalic

simple tones do have vowel quality, and vocality should be added to the list of tonal dimensions

—R. S. Woodworth

Synonyms of vocal

Adjective

• voiced
• spoken
• uttered
• oral

Noun (1)

• ballad
• song
• lyric
• hymn

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 (1)

a recording artist who arranges his own vocals

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Younger travelers, particularly Gen Z, have been the most vocal about wanting more from their time off than pure relaxation. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Strange pauses or vocal fluctuations were previously considered red flags that a caller’s voice might be AI-generated. —Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 29 May 2026

Noun

Despite us having just seen the episode where Reid performed this exact song, his vocals felt like they were shot out of a cannon — Reid has an unexpected control and expressiveness to his live singing voice that emphasizes the already theatrical lyrics and melody. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 3 June 2026

Casting child star vocal talents to bring his line drawings to life for the characters surrounding Charlie Brown (and his endless dilemmas of life story plots) wasn’t an easy feat for Schulz, since, after all, children grow up, and their vocals mature. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026

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 (1)

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vocal

• vocal cords
• vocal folds

Rhymes for vocal

• cloacal
• focal
• local
• sokol
• confocal
• nonlocal
• multifocal
• univocal

Kids Definition

vocal

1 of 2 adjective

vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl 

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

-kə-lē 

adverb

vocal

2 of 2 noun

1

: a vocal sound

2

: a piece of vocal music

Medical Definition

vocal

adjective

vo·​cal ˈvō-kəl 

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

vō-ˈkal-ət-ē 

noun

plural vocalities

vocally

ˈvō-kə-lē 

adverb