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musical

/ˈmjuː.zɪ.kəl/
IELTSAcademic
adjective

Related to music, or having a natural ability to make pleasant music. It can also describe sounds that are pleasing to hear.

  • She has a very musical voice.
  • The sound of rain was almost musical.
noun

A musical is a stage show with songs, dancing, and acting. It tells a story through music and performance.

  • We watched a musical last night.
  • That musical won several awards.

Adinary Nuance

Musical is broader than music-related words like musician or musicality. As an adjective, it often describes sound, talent, or style, not just songs. As a noun, it means a stage show with music, which is different from a concert or opera.

In other languages

Vietnamese
âm nhạc
Spanish
musical
Chinese
音乐的
Japanese
音楽の
Korean
음악의

Etymology

Musical comes from Late Latin musica, through Old French and Middle English. It has been used in English since the 16th century.

Common phrases

musical talentmusical instrumentmusical theatremusical score

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is musical an adjective or a noun?
It is both. As an adjective, it means related to music. As a noun, it means a stage show with songs and dance.
What is the difference between musical and melodic?
Musical is broader. Melodic mainly means having a pleasant tune or melody.
Is musical used in business or academic writing?
Yes, the adjective is common in both. The noun is usually used for entertainment, arts, and culture topics.