vocalize

verb

vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
vocalized; vocalizing

transitive verb

1
: to give voice to : utter
specifically : sing
2
a
: to make voiced rather than voiceless : voice
b
: to convert to a vowel
3
: to furnish (something, such as a consonantal Hebrew or Arabic text) with vowels or vowel points

intransitive verb

1
: to utter vocal sounds
2
: sing
specifically : to sing without words
vocalization noun
vocalizer noun

Examples of vocalize in a Sentence

The male bird vocalizes to attract a mate. she's not one to vocalize her worries
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Seattle Storm star Gabby Williams vocalized her frustration on the matter to reporters on Friday afternoon. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 19 July 2025 During the Heat’s NBA Draft party on Wednesday at Kaseya Center during the first round, former Heat All-Star center and current Heat executive Alonzo Mourning vocalized the organization’s belief in Ware as part of an interview on WQAM 560. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025 Barking is still a natural behavior for deaf dogs, and while the tone or volume may differ, their need to vocalize remains. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Unlike most video game music, Woodkid’s tracks aren’t just ambience, but fully vocalized songs with lyrics. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for vocalize

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocalize was in 1669

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vocalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocalize. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

vocalize

verb
vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
vocalized; vocalizing
: to give voice to
especially : sing entry 1 sense 1a
vocalizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vocalize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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