# vocal

/ˈvoʊkəɫ/ (US) · /vˈəʊkəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. expressing opinions

adjective · CEFR B2

expressing your opinions or feelings frequently and strongly.

For teachers: disposed to express opinions or feelings freely and forcefully.

- She has always been a vocal critic of the new government policies.
- The local community became increasingly vocal about the proposed development, attending every council meeting to voice their concerns.

### 2. relating to the voice

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: pertaining to or produced by the human voice.

- The singer had to rest her vocal cords after the long concert tour.
- The therapist worked with the patient to improve their vocal resonance following the surgery on their throat.

### 3. singing in music

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

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

## Examples

- The vocals on this track are very clear.
- The producer decided to lower the volume of the drums to make the lead vocal stand out more.
- While the instrumental arrangement is technically impressive, it is the raw, emotive power of the lead vocal that truly resonates with the audience.

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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.