vocalize

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verb vo·cal·ize \ ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz \

Definition of vocalize

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

play \ˌvō-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

—

vocalizer

play \ˈvō-kə-ˌlī-zər\ noun

See vocalize defined for English-language learners

See vocalize defined for kids

Examples of vocalize in a Sentence

The male bird vocalizes to attract a mate.
she's not one to vocalize her worries

Recent Examples of vocalize from the Web

With the city of Boston tattooed deep under his skin, Stizz made sure to vocalize his city's woes on his debut project Suffolk County.

— carl lamarre, Billboard, "Cousin Stizz Talks New Album 'One Night Only' & Being on the Forefront of Boston's Rap Scene," 4 Aug. 2017
The club’s coaching staff and front office vocalized a desire to strengthen the team’s attack in the upcoming summer transfer window, which begins July 10.

— alicia delgallo, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Canadian Richie Laryea getting increased time with Orlando City," 6 July 2017
Bulls: Jimmy Butler kept vocalizing his commitment to the Bulls even as his name kept getting attached to trade rumors.

— phil thompson, chicagotribune.com, "Tracking the draft outrage: Bulls fans vs. Bears fans," 23 June 2017
The original film utilizes voiceover to vocalize its characters' inner thoughts, and includes Hallie in that exposition.

— kendra james, Marie Claire, "'The Beguiled' Sanitizes Racism by Masking It with the Pretty Faces of Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning," 23 June 2017
From town hall meetings to Capitol Hill, constituents have vocalized their concern and distrust over the best way to manage America's health care system.

— john sharp, AL.com, "Alabama's Senate candidates on Obamacare: Repeal, replace or build on," 18 June 2017
Iguodala also made sure to vocalize that message at times.

— scott cacciola, New York Times, "The N.B.A. Finals’ Big Moment Finds Andre Iguodala, an Unselfish Warrior," 13 June 2017
Despite Meyer's attempts at sternly vocalizing his opinion on the subject, college football passed the early signing period in may.

— ari wasserman, cleveland.com, "Urban Meyer gives opinion on college football's new early signing period and brings up a new point," 25 May 2017
TLC vocalized the importance of practicing safe sex during a time when images of female artists were sexualized.

— rajni lucienne jacques, Teen Vogue, "Iconic R&B Girl Group TLC Explains Why They Wore Condoms As Accessories," 22 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vocalize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of vocalize

1669

vocalize Synonyms

Synonyms

articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, speak, state, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, say

Related Words

air, discuss, give, look, share, sound, vent, ventilate, voice; blabber, bolt, blurt, get off, shoot; advertise, announce, blaze, broadcast, declare, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish; affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow; breathe, chirp, drawl, gasp, lip, mouth, murmur, purr, shout, splutter, spout, whisper; clothe, couch, formulate, formulize, phrase, put, word; comment, pipe up (with), remark; rip (out), snarl

Near Antonyms

stifle, suppress

VOCALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

vocalize

play

verb

Definition of vocalize for English Language Learners

: to express (something) by speaking words
: to make a sound with the voice

Learn More about vocalize

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vocalize Spanish Central: Translation of vocalize Nglish: Translation of vocalize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of vocalize for Arabic speakers

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vocalize

Definition of vocalize

vocalization

vocalizer

Examples of vocalize in a Sentence

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vocalize Synonyms

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VOCALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

vocalize

Definition of vocalize for English Language Learners

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vocalize

Definition of vocalize

vocalization

vocalizer

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VOCALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

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