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

My son sang the national anthem at the Sixers game, and my daughter had her first vocal recital at 5 years old. — Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 20 July 2026

The undulating synth lead seems tailored to mimic the tone and timbre of a classical Indian singer, a comparison borne out by the occasional flashes of vocal sample peeking through the mix. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026

Noun

That trademark indecision of summer takes root in her words and spreads through the music until her vocals diverge in the chorus, peeling like a clementine’s skin as one shrill line scales upward and the other remains monotone. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026

While the non-prerecorded vocals were appreciated, his ballad felt oddly shoehorned into what was otherwise a vigorous, energetic halftime. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 19 July 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