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
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
1
: a vocal sound
2
: a usually accompanied musical composition for the human voice : song
also
: a performance of such a composition
Synonyms
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
a recording artist who arranges his own vocals
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Grein, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2024
Others who have been vocal about a ceasefire, including Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Jamaal Bowman of New York, are also facing moderate opponents.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
Over the last several weeks, Bertinelli has slowly been more vocal about her new romance.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
That problem is fueled by the AI companies who roll out face filters, Lil Yachty festival memes, and quirky vocal filters to obscure the exploitative, obfuscating harm that AI represents.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2024
Instead of trying desperately to sidestep a potential political landmine, like the other sports leagues do, the NBA and its players have become vocal proponents of social change, even in the face of pushback from more conservative Americans.
—TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Braxton concluded her thoughts by emphasizing the importance of being vocal about lupus and spreading the word.
—Essence, 19 Apr. 2024
Majority owner Joe Lacob has been vocal about possibly dipping under the luxury tax threshold.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
While most Japanese Americans vote Democratic, an increasingly vocal generation of young activists is trying to push their parents’ and grandparents’ civil rights group further to the left.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 2024
Her pop spectacle channeled 2000s-era Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera with fierce choreography and powerhouse vocals.
—Lucas Villa, Allure, 12 Apr. 2024
The higher-register brass, strings, and vocals are bright and maintain their prominence in the mix.
—PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
The album arrived on March 1 with the former Oasis member helming vocals across the album while Squire, of the Stone Roses, serves as lead guitarist and songwriter.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
The arrangement, which includes part of the Beatles’ original version and stunning backing vocals from the four newcomers, is too good not to find the broadest possible audience.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
The songstress has already established a legacy rooted in her captivating vocals and songwriting, both as a soloist and band member of Fleetwood Mac.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
If the model insists on adding some sort of vocals, maybe the next version will have more discernible language.
—Emilia David, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
Keith and Combs trade lines on the mixtape version, with Diffie's original vocals interspersed throughout.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Both sets won Grammys for best traditional pop vocal album.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2024
Others who have been vocal about a ceasefire, including Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Jamaal Bowman of New York, are also facing moderate opponents.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
Over the last several weeks, Bertinelli has slowly been more vocal about her new romance.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
That problem is fueled by the AI companies who roll out face filters, Lil Yachty festival memes, and quirky vocal filters to obscure the exploitative, obfuscating harm that AI represents.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2024
Instead of trying desperately to sidestep a potential political landmine, like the other sports leagues do, the NBA and its players have become vocal proponents of social change, even in the face of pushback from more conservative Americans.
—TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Braxton concluded her thoughts by emphasizing the importance of being vocal about lupus and spreading the word.
—Essence, 19 Apr. 2024
Majority owner Joe Lacob has been vocal about possibly dipping under the luxury tax threshold.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
While most Japanese Americans vote Democratic, an increasingly vocal generation of young activists is trying to push their parents’ and grandparents’ civil rights group further to the left.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
They were helmed on this night by the invaluable longtime wingman Mac McAnally, who handled lead vocals and emcee duties for a memorial service that felt like anything but.
—Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 2024
Her pop spectacle channeled 2000s-era Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera with fierce choreography and powerhouse vocals.
—Lucas Villa, Allure, 12 Apr. 2024
The higher-register brass, strings, and vocals are bright and maintain their prominence in the mix.
—PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
The album arrived on March 1 with the former Oasis member helming vocals across the album while Squire, of the Stone Roses, serves as lead guitarist and songwriter.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
The arrangement, which includes part of the Beatles’ original version and stunning backing vocals from the four newcomers, is too good not to find the broadest possible audience.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
The songstress has already established a legacy rooted in her captivating vocals and songwriting, both as a soloist and band member of Fleetwood Mac.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
If the model insists on adding some sort of vocals, maybe the next version will have more discernible language.
—Emilia David, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
Keith and Combs trade lines on the mixtape version, with Diffie's original vocals interspersed throughout.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vocal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near vocal
Cite this Entry
“Vocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocal. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vocal
2 of 2 noun1
: a vocal sound
2
: a piece of vocal music
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