vocal

vocal — adjective

1. connected with the human voice, especially how it is used for speaking or singin

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

connected with the human voice, especially how it is used for speaking or singing

Example

Sivan has been taking vocal lessons to improve her singing technique.

vocal lessons — training that focuses on the singing voice

The doctor examined Chidi's vocal cords after he lost his voice for a week.

vocal cords — the folds of tissue in the throat that produce sound

Common collocations
  • vocal cords
  • vocal range
  • vocal music
  • vocal lessons
  • vocal warm-up
  • vocal technique
  • vocal performance
Synonyms
  • spoken

    focuses on the oral expression rather than the sound-producing mechanism; 'spoken language' vs 'vocal cords'

  • oral

    more formal and often used for communication methods ('oral exam'); broader than 'vocal'

  • uttered

    refers to the act of saying something out loud; less common in everyday use

Antonyms
  • silent

    not involving any sound from the voice

  • nonvocal

    technical opposite; rarely used in general English

Usage Note

Often appears before nouns related to the anatomy of speech (cords, muscles, folds) or to performing arts (lessons, range, warm-up).

Common Mistakes

He has a vocal problem' (when meaning 'voice problem').
He has a voice problem.
'vocal' is an adjective describing the type of problem, not a noun; use 'voice + noun' for everyday speech about the quality of someone's voice.

2. expressing your opinions strongly and directly, especially when they are differe

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

expressing your opinions strongly and directly, especially when they are different from what most people think

Example

Noor has become increasingly vocal about the need for better public transportation.

vocal about — expressing strong opinions on a topic

The residents were vocal in their opposition to the new highway project.

vocal in [their] opposition — openly and strongly disagreeing

Common collocations
  • vocal critic
  • vocal opponent
  • vocal supporter
  • vocal minority
  • vocal about
  • vocal in
Synonyms
  • outspoken

    very similar, but 'outspoken' can suggest the speaker is being frank even when it is risky; slightly stronger than 'vocal'

  • forthright

    focuses on honesty and directness rather than loudness; more formal

  • strident

    has a negative tone, suggesting the person is too loud or aggressive in expressing opinions

Antonyms
  • quiet

    not expressing opinions openly

  • reserved

    keeping one's thoughts and feelings to oneself

  • reticent

    hesitant to speak; more formal

Grammar Patterns

vocal + about + noun

vocal + in + noun

Usage Note

Unlike 'outspoken', 'vocal' does not necessarily imply that the opinions are unwelcome or blunt — it simply emphasises that the person makes their views heard. Frequently used with 'about' or 'in' to introduce the topic.

Common Mistakes

She was vocal against the new rule.
She was vocal in her opposition to the new rule.' or 'She was vocal about being against the new rule.
'vocal' takes 'about' for topics or 'in' for stances, not 'against'.

3. filled with the overlapping sound of many people talking, shouting, or singing a

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

filled with the overlapping sound of many people talking, shouting, or singing at the same time

Example

The marketplace was vocal with the chatter of hundreds of shoppers.

vocal with — full of the sound of many voices

From across the valley, they could hear the vocal celebration of the festival crowd.

Common collocations
  • vocal with
Synonyms
  • resonant

    focuses on a deep, clear, echoing quality rather than the presence of many voices

  • sonorous

    describes a rich, deep, impressive sound; more formal and less common

  • echoing

    emphasises the repetition of sound off surfaces rather than the source being voices

Antonyms
  • silent

    completely without sound

  • still

    quiet and calm, with little or no movement or sound

Grammar Patterns

vocal + with + noun

vocal — noun

Word family

  • vocally
    adverbB2
  • vocalist
    nounB2
  • vocalize
    verbC1
  • vocalization
    nounC1
  • voice
    nounA2
  • voice
    verbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All four words describe someone who expresses opinions openly, but they carry different tones. 'Vocal' is the most neutral and versatile — it simply means the person makes their views heard, whether in support or opposition ('a vocal supporter of reform'). 'Outspoken' goes a step further, suggesting the person speaks honestly even when it is uncomfortable or risky ('an outspoken critic of government corruption'). 'Forthright' emphasises directness and honesty over volume, and is more formal ('her forthright assessment of the problem surprised everyone'). 'Strident' is the most negative, implying the person is loud, forceful, and possibly unreasonable ('his strident demands annoyed the committee'). For a learner, 'vocal' is the safest choice for general contexts; use 'outspoken' when you want to highlight courage, and avoid 'strident' unless you intend a critical tone.

vocal ↗outspokenforthrightstrident

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • vocally
  • increasingly vocal
  • highly vocal
  • most vocal

Phrases

  • vocal about the need for
  • vocal in one's support of
  • vocal in opposition to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Vocal' comes from Latin 'vocalis', meaning 'of the voice, speaking, sounding', which in turn comes from 'vox' (voice). It entered English in the late 14th century with the meaning 'of or pertaining to the voice'. The sense 'outspoken' developed in the 17th century, and the noun sense referring to sung parts in music emerged in the 20th century alongside modern recording.