VOH-kuhl
/ˈvoʊkəl/
vocal is pronounced VOH-kuhl (/ˈvoʊkəl/). Vocal describes things relating to the voice, especially the use of the voice in speech, singing, or public discourse. It can also mean expressing opinions openly. As an adjective, it denotes active, outspoken expression; as a noun, it can refer to a voice part or a sung part in a musical score. The term is common in linguistics, medicine, and performance contexts.
Vocal describes things relating to the voice, especially the use of the voice in speech, singing, or public discourse. It can also mean expressing opinions openly. As an adjective, it denotes active, outspoken expression; as a noun, it can refer to a voice part or a sung part in a musical score. The term is common in linguistics, medicine, and performance contexts.
"Her vocal cords were strained after hours of singing."
"The committee took a vocal stance on the policy, advocating for reform."
"In the study, they measured vocal intensity across conversations."
Pronounce as VOH-kəl in US and AU, and VOH-kəl in general; the primary stress is on the first syllable. IPA: US/AU /ˈvoʊ.kəl/; UK /ˈvəʊ.kəl/. Start with a long
Common errors include reducing the OES sound to a quick schwa and misplacing stress. Some speakers may say /ˈvəː.kəl/ with an overly long second vowel, or substitute /oʊ/ with a shorter /o/ before /l/. Correct by maintaining a clear long /oʊ/ in the first syllable and ensuring the second syllable uses a schwa or a light, unstressed /əl/. Practice with minimal pairs like /ˈvoʊ.kəl/ vs /ˈvoʊ.kəl/ (same) to lock in stability.
In US and AU accents, the first syllable often has a clear /oʊ/ (long O), with a rhotic or non-rhotic quality depending on the speaker. UK speakers may produce a more rounded /əʊ/ or a clipped /ˈvəʊ.kəl/ with slight vowel shortening before /k/. The second syllable remains a schwa or a light /əl/ in most contexts. Overall, rhoticity and vowel length vary by region, but the core /ˈvoʊ.kəl/ pattern remains intact.
The challenge lies in maintaining a clean long /oʊ/ in stressed syllables and reducing the second syllable to a subtle /əl/ or /l/ without adding extra syllables. The combination of a tense diphthong /oʊ/ followed by a short, neutral vowel can encourage flapping or vowel reduction in casual speech. Focus on separating the syllables slightly and using a crisp, unstressed /əl/ after the vowel.
A distinctive feature is the transition from the stressed long vowel /oʊ/ to the schwa /ə/ in the second syllable. Some speakers produce a lightly colored /ɪ/ or /ə/ depending on dialect, but the standard is /ˈvoʊ.kəl/. You’ll want to avoid a heavy /l/ sound in the second syllable; keep it light and quick as a syllabic end or a soft /əl/.
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- US: rhotic /r/? Not in 'vocal' (no rhotic release). The first syllable uses /oʊ/—keep it tense and rounded. The second syllable uses a soft /əl/; avoid an intrusive /ɪ/ or /iː/. - UK: /ˈvəʊ.kəl/ with a slightly less rounded first vowel and a more pronounced schwa in the second syllable. Try a short, unstressed /ə/ following /ʊ/ or /oʊ/. - AU: Similar to US, but with variable vowel length; many speakers maintain /ˈvoʊ.kəl/ while some may approach /ˈvʊ.kəl/ in rapid speech. Maintain non-rhotic tendencies in connected speech when appropriate.
Vocal comes from the Latin vox, voc-, meaning voice or call. The adjective form vocalis appeared in Late Latin to mean pertaining to the voice. In Middle English, vocal was borrowed via Old French vocal, gaining senses tied to the voice in speech and singing, and to expressiveness. Over time, English extended vocal to medical contexts (vocal cords, vocal folds) and to rhetorical/linguistic domains (vocal stance, vocal fry). The word’s core idea—relating to voice or articulation—remains constant, while usages broadened from everyday speech to specialized domains like linguistics, otolaryngology, and performing arts. First known English attestations appear in late medieval to early modern texts, aligning with the growing scientific and musical discourse about voice production and expression.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "vocal" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "vocal" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "vocal"
-cal sounds
-on) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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