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REFERENCE

vocal

adj. · n.
US //ˈvoʊkəɫ// UK //vˈəʊkəl// vo·cal
  1. 1 expressing opinions (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    expressing your opinions or feelings frequently and strongly.

    disposed to express opinions or feelings freely and forcefully.

    Example

    She has always been a vocal critic of the new government policies.

    Example

    The local community became increasingly vocal about the proposed development, attending every council meeting to voice their concerns.
  2. 2 relating to the voice (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    relating to the human voice or the sounds people make when speaking or singing.

    pertaining to or produced by the human voice.

    Example

    The singer had to rest her vocal cords after the long concert tour.

    Example

    The therapist worked with the patient to improve their vocal resonance following the surgery on their throat.
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  1. 3 singing in music (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    the part of a piece of music that is sung rather than played on instruments.

    the sung component of a musical recording or performance, often distinguished from the instrumental backing.

    Example

    The lead singer's vocals were much louder than the guitars in this mix.

    Example

    The producer decided to layer the backing vocals to create a more ethereal atmosphere during the chorus.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural form 'vocals' when referring to a performance.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *wekʷ-der. Proto-Indo-European *wṓkʷs Proto-Italic *wōks Latin vōx 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.

Word family

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