vocalize

verb

vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz 

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

ˌvō-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

vocalizer

ˈvō-kə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of vocalize

• say
• utter
• tell
• talk
• speak
• discuss
• share
• verbalize

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

And leadership should be open about their own mental health struggles, and be proactive in vocalizing the resources and accommodations companies offer. —Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2025

But there were ongoing concerns, vocalized by former park workers later in the shutdown, about the chance of hazards like overflowing bathrooms and accumulating trash that could force the national parks to close. —Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 22 Dec. 2025

The 90-minute show was a master class in vocalizing. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025

Most of the Republicans vocalizing their disagreements are retiring, represent competitive districts or are perennial centrists. —Sam Gringlas, NPR, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for vocalize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

vocalize

verb

vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz 

vocalized; vocalizing

: to give voice to

especially : sing entry 1 sense 1a

vocalizer

ˈvō-kə-ˌlī-zər 

noun