Vocal Meaning and Definition
Vocal
Pronunciation
/ˈvoʊkəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
Relating to the voice or the production of sound, especially in singing or other forms of vocalization.
Examples
- The vocal coach helped the singer improve her tone.
- The vocal performance was accompanied by a live band.
Synonyms
- Vocalic
- Sonic
Antonyms
- Silent
- Mute
Additional Information
Vocal refers to the human voice or the sound produced by the vocal cords. In music, vocal can refer to the singing or vocal performance of a song. In linguistics, vocal refers to the sounds and speech patterns of a language.
In addition to its literal meaning, vocal can also be used figuratively to describe something that is expressive or communicative, such as a vocal supporter of a cause or a vocal critic of a policy.
Vocal can also be used in combination with other words to create compounds that describe specific aspects of sound or voice, such as vocal cord, vocal fry, or vocal range.
Etiology
The word “vocal” comes from the Latin “vocalis,” meaning “of the voice.” It has been used in the English language since the 15th century to describe things related to the voice or sound.
Usage Notes
Vocal can be used as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes something related to the voice or sound, while as a noun, it refers to the voice or sound itself.
Cultural References
Vocal has been used in popular culture to describe the singing styles of famous artists, such as “vocal acrobatics” or “vocal range.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Vocal minority
- Vocal about
Related Words or Phrases
- Vocalist
- Vocalization
Collocations
- vocal cords
- vocal performance
Frequency of Use
Vocal is a moderately common word in modern language, used in a variety of contexts to describe sound, voice, or communication.
Common Misspellings
- vocul
- vocaly