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APG.American
Pronunciation Guide
HOW TO PRONOUNCE

vocal

/ˈvoʊ̯.kəl/

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What does vocal mean?

adjective

  1. Of, pertaining to, or resembling the human voice or speech.
  2. Used in the production of speech sounds.
  3. Relating to, composed or arranged for, or sung by the human voice.
More meanings (11)

adjective

  1. Consisting of, or characterized by, voice, or tone produced in the larynx, which may be modified, either by resonance, as in the case of the vowels, or by obstructive action, as in certain consonants, such as v, l, etc., or by both, as in the nasals m, n, ng.
  2. Synonym of vocalic.
  3. Uttered or modulated by the voice; expressed in words.
  4. Expressing opinions or feelings freely, loudly, or insistently.
  5. Having or exercising the power of producing voice, speech, or sound.
  6. Synonym of expressive.
  7. Full of voices.

noun

  1. A vocal sound; specifically, a purely vocal element of speech, unmodified except by resonance; a vowel or a diphthong; a tonic element; a tonic.
  2. A part of a piece of music that is sung.
  3. A musical performance involving singing.
  4. A man in the Roman Catholic Church who has a right to vote in certain elections.
Wiktionary contributors

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈvoʊ̯.kəl/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Other dictionary pronunciations

/ˈvɔʊ̯.kəl/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

He little thought that the little black urchins around him, could see, through those vocal crevices, the very secrets of his heart.
Frederick DouglassMy Bondage and My FreedomProject Gutenberg ebook #202
The usual grammar-school and high-school courses are taught to all the students, also swimming and dancing and music, both vocal and instrumental.
James J. (James John) DavisThe Iron Puddler: My Life in the Rolling Mills and What Came of ItProject Gutenberg ebook #1297
More book examples (2)
The vocal organs of various web-footed and wading birds are extraordinarily complex, and differ to a certain extent in the two sexes.
Charles DarwinThe Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to SexProject Gutenberg ebook #2300
On the sheltered side was a turnip-slicing machine, whose bright blue hue of new paint seemed almost vocal in the otherwise subdued scene.
Thomas HardyTess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure WomanProject Gutenberg ebook #110