musical
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for musical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to music, or produced by music.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use musical
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French, ultimately from Latin musica ("music") plus the adjective-forming suffix -al.
Full origin of musical →Frequently asked questions
What does “musical” mean?
The word “musical” means relating to music, or produced by music. In plain terms, to do with music, pleasant-sounding, or (as a noun) a singing-and-dancing stage show.
How do you pronounce “musical”?
“Musical” is pronounced MYOO-zih-kuhl (/ˈmju.zɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “musical” in a sentence?
Here is “musical” used in a sentence: “The film has a strong musical score that carries much of the emotion.”
What part of speech is “musical”?
Depending on how it is used, “musical” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “musical” come from?
The word “musical” comes from Latin. From Old French, ultimately from Latin musica ("music") plus the adjective-forming suffix -al.
Is “musical” a common word?
“Musical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “musical” have?
“Musical” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to music, or produced by music.
What is the difference between 'musical' and 'music'?
'Music' is the noun — the art form or the sounds themselves. 'Musical' is usually the adjective, meaning relating to or produced by music, as in 'a musical instrument.' Confusingly, 'musical' is also a noun in its own right, naming a stage or film production built around songs.
What does it mean to call a person musical?
When someone is described as musical, it means they have a natural talent, sensitivity, or ear for music — they can sing, play an instrument, or appreciate melody with ease. It describes an aptitude rather than a fact about sound, so it works as a genuine compliment about ability.
Is 'a musical' the same as a play?
A musical is a type of play or film in which the story is told partly through songs and often dance, with music woven into the plot. It differs from a straight play, which relies only on spoken dialogue, and from an opera, which is almost entirely sung.
What is an example of 'musical' used as an adjective?
You might say 'she comes from a musical family,' meaning music runs through it, or 'the wind chimes made a musical sound,' meaning tuneful and pleasant. In both cases the word links something directly to music or to a melodic, harmonious quality that is nice to hear.