adj
Common
vocal
VOH-kuhl
Vocal (adj) means relating to, or produced by, the human voice. Example: “The singer rested her voice after a long vocal rehearsal.”
adj
1
Relating to, or produced by, the human voice.
"The singer rested her voice after a long vocal rehearsal."
"Vocal training can help actors project their voices to the back row."
"The choir focused on vocal warm-ups before the concert."
2
Outspoken; expressing opinions loudly and often.
"Parents were vocal about their worries over the busy road near school."
"He is very vocal in meetings and always shares his opinion."
"She has been a vocal critic of the new policy."
noun
1
The sung part of a piece of music.
"I love the band's guitar, but the vocals are what make it special."
"She added soft backing vocals to the chorus of the song."
"The vocals on that track were recorded in a single take."
How to use vocal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with the voice or singing, or (informally) outspoken about an opinion.
Common pairings
vocal cords
vocal critic
lead vocals
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Word forms
- Plural
- vocals
- Comparative
- more vocal
- Superlative
- most vocal
Fill the gap
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The singer rested her voice after a long _____ rehearsal.
Etymology
From Latin vocalis, "uttering a voice," from vox, "voice" — a doublet of vowel.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vocal
See all rhymes for vocal →Frequently asked questions
What does “vocal” mean?
The word “vocal” means relating to, or produced by, the human voice. In plain terms, to do with the voice or singing, or (informally) outspoken about an opinion.
How do you pronounce “vocal”?
“Vocal” is pronounced VOH-kuhl (/ˈvoʊ̯.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “vocal” in a sentence?
Here is “vocal” used in a sentence: “The choir focused on vocal warm-ups before the concert.”
What part of speech is “vocal”?
Depending on how it is used, “vocal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “vocal” come from?
The word “vocal” comes from Latin. From Latin vocalis, "uttering a voice," from vox, "voice" — a doublet of vowel.
Is “vocal” a common word?
“Vocal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vocal” have?
“Vocal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to, or produced by, the human voice.
What is the difference between "vocal" and "verbal"?
"Vocal" relates to the voice or to speaking out loudly, while "verbal" relates to words, whether spoken or written. A "verbal agreement" is made in words, whereas being "vocal" about an issue means expressing it openly and often.
What is the difference between "vocal" and "outspoken"?
When "vocal" means expressing opinions loudly and often, it is close to "outspoken," but "vocal" can also simply describe voice-related things like "vocal cords." "Outspoken" always refers to freely speaking one's mind.
What are common phrases with "vocal"?
Common collocations include "vocal cords," "vocal range," "vocal critic," and "vocal minority." A "vocal minority" is a small group that speaks out loudly and can seem larger than it really is.
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