English Reference

Word

musical

Phoneticsmu·si·cal, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈmjuzɪkəɫ/

UK/mjˈuːzɪkəl/

Definitions

01related to music

A2 · Elementary Music

adj. relating to music, its performance, or how it is written.

adj. pertaining to the art, performance, or notation of music.

“The children are learning different musical instruments at school.”

“The composer's musical notation was so complex that even seasoned orchestral players required several rehearsals to master the score.”

Synonyms

02talented in music

B1 · Intermediate

adj. having a natural skill for music or enjoying it very much.

adj. possessing a natural talent, aptitude, or keen interest in music.

“She comes from a very musical family where everyone plays the piano.”

“Although he had no formal training, his musical ear allowed him to reproduce complex melodies after hearing them only once.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

unmusical

03pleasant sounding

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. having a pleasant sound that reminds you of music.

adj. having a melodious or harmonious quality that is pleasing to the ear.

“The waterfall made a soft, musical sound as it hit the rocks.”

“The poet was celebrated for the musical quality of his verse, which seemed to sing even when read silently.”

Synonyms

melodiousharmoniousdulcet

Antonyms

04theatre/film genre

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a play or film that uses singing and dancing to tell a story.

n. a theatrical production or film consisting of a narrative interspersed with songs and choreographed dancing.

“We went to see a famous musical in London last night.”

“The high school drama department chose to produce a classic musical, requiring the students to train in vocal performance and jazz dance simultaneously.”

Synonyms

musical comedyshow

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “musical” in context.

01. musical instruments

Etymology

From Middle English musical, from Old French [Term?], from Medieval Latin mūsicālis, from Latin mūsica (“music”) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives); equivalent to music + -al.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

musical(A2)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference