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.