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

• articulate
• bring out
• enunciate
• pass
• say
• speak
• state
• talk
• tell
• utter
• 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

Zephaniah, who died in 2023 at 65, was a towering figure in literature, music and politics, vocalizing the Black experience in post-war Britain. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2025

The president vocalized his discontent with the Fed chair’s economic policy leadership during a Q-and-A session with reporters. —Lisa Kailai Han,natasha Turak,katrina Bishop, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025

Ellen Pompeo, Bella Ramsey, Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Paul Feig & More Taylor has cerebral palsy and can vocalize. —Fred Topel, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025

However, vocalizing lessons isn't always the best way. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 1 Apr. 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