vocal

1 of 2

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 2

noun

1

: a vocal sound

2

: a usually accompanied musical composition for the human voice : song

also : a performance of such a composition

Synonyms of vocal

Adjective

• voiced
• spoken
• uttered
• oral

Noun

• 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

a recording artist who arranges his own vocals

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As the oil blockade quickly exhausts Cuba’s supply of fuel, triggering a series of lengthy, island-wide blackouts, many here are exhausted and are becoming increasingly vocal about their desire for fundamental changes in Cuba. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026

The head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the UAE, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who has become one of the most vocal critics of Iran's actions, bluntly calls it economic terrorism. —CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

Noun

Bruzzone’s vocals seesaw between throat-buzzing alien croaks and clean vocals that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Mars Volta ballad. —Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026

Martin takes the lead on vocals on this revamping of a classic tune, but is eventually joined by Della Mae’s Celia Woodsmith, who brings verve to a perfect vocal contrast. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 30 Mar. 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

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