Vocal Meaning
/ˈvəʊ̯.kəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjOf, pertaining to, or resembling the human voice or speech.
adjOf, pertaining to, or resembling the human voice or speech., Used in the production of speech sounds.
Sentence Examples
Public feeling against air pollution has at last become vocal.
I like vocal music better than instrumental music.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The singer has a very powerful ____ range that can hit high notes easily.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The singer has a powerful ____ range, able to hit many high and low notes with incredible ease today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *wekʷ-der. Proto-Indo-European *wṓkʷs Proto-Italic *wōks Latin vōx Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin vōcālisbor. Middle English vocal English vocal Late Middle English vocal, borrowed from Latin vōcālis (“uttering a voice, sounding, speaking”), from vōx (“a voice, sound, tone”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix). Doublet of vowel and vocalis. Compare Old French vocal.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Hendy has come out as something of an evangelist for discontinuous electrification. For Waterloo-Exeter, this could make real sense on a route where the high capital cost of wiring or third rail all the way to Devon would be prohibitive. But what about his vocal support for it on East West Rail, which is effectively a brand new line?"
— 2025 February 19, Paul Clifton, “I am absolutely committed to reforming the railway”, in RAIL, number 1029, page 41:
"To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade,
Made vocal by my song."
— 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost:
"The tide flows down, the wave again
Is vocal in its wooded walls:
My deeper anguish also falls,
And I can speak a little then."
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XIX”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 32:
"Best cuts: "The Evil Dude," "Kung Fu, Too!" "Mama Love," "New Orleans" (with a punchy vocal by Teresa Brewer)."
— 1975, Billboard, volume 87, number 24, page 50:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The singer has a very powerful ____ range that can hit high notes easily.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The singer has a powerful ____ range, able to hit many high and low notes with incredible ease today.