vocal
Vocal (adj) means relating to, or produced by, the human voice. Example: “The choir focused on vocal warm-ups before the concert.”
How to use vocal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with the voice or singing, or (informally) outspoken about an opinion.
Word forms
more vocal comparative, vocals plural, most vocal superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The choir focused on _____ warm-ups before the concert.
Etymology
From Latin vocalis, "uttering a voice," from vox, "voice" — a doublet of vowel.
Synonyms
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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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