# musical

/ˈmjuzɪkəɫ/ (US) · /mjˈuːzɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/musical
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. related to music

adjective · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. talented in music

adjective · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. pleasant sounding

adjective · CEFR B2

having a pleasant sound that reminds you of music.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. theatre/film genre

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- We are going to see a musical in the city tonight.
- The high school drama club is rehearsing for their spring musical, which features several difficult dance numbers.
- While early examples of the genre were often lighthearted, the modern musical frequently tackles complex social themes through sophisticated lyrical composition and orchestral arrangements.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.