musical
pronunciation
How to pronounce musical in British English:
UK [ˈmjuːzɪkl]
How to pronounce musical in American English:
US [ˈmjuːzɪkl]
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- Noun:
- a play or film whose action and dialogue is interspersed with singing and dancing
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- Adjective:
- characterized by or capable of producing music
- talented in or devoted to music
- characteristic of or resembling or accompanied by music
- containing or constituting or characterized by pleasing melody
Word Origin
- musical (adj.)
- early 15c., "pertaining to music; tuneful, harmonious; adept at making music," from Middle French musical (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin musicalis, from Latin musica (see music). Musical box is from 1829. Children's game musical chairs is attested from 1877, hence use of musical as a modifier meaning "changing rapidly from one to another possessor" (1924). Related: Musically.
- musical (n.)
- "theatrical piece in which music figures prominently," 1937, from musical (adj.) in musical play. Earlier as a noun it meant "musical instrument" (c. 1500), "musical performance" (1570s); "musical party" (1823, a sense now in musicale).
Example
- 1. Nearly all occasions are marked with a musical ceremony .
- 2. One musical voice is nice .
- 3. Or , to return to my musical metaphor , you will know which college is playing your tune .
- 4. Great language also has a wonderful musical quality .
- 5. But mere musical success is no longer enough .