musical

/ˈmjuzəkəl/

/ˈmjuzɪkəl/

Other forms: musicals

Anything musical has to do with music. Tra la la! If you’re really musical, try out for a musical so you can sing on the big stage. And, if you’re playing musical chairs, better find a seat before the music stops!

Musical things have a tune or rhythm, like a robin’s song or "La Cucaracha." Musical instruments, like clarinets and guitars, make music. Or hope to. The bands you’re into reflect your musical tastes. If your parents are musicians, you come from a musical family. When musical is a noun, it's short for "musical drama." The Sound of Music is a musical (film) about the musical (talented singing) Von Trapp family. Guess what they’re into.

Definitions of musical

1. adjective

   characterized by or capable of producing music
   “a musical evening”

   “musical instruments”
2. adjective

   characteristic of or resembling or accompanied by music
   “a musical speaking voice”

   “a musical comedy”

   synonyms:

   chanted

   sung or uttered rhythmically in a monotone

   liquid

   smooth and flowing in quality; entirely free of harshness

   singable

   suitable for singing

   antonyms:

   unmusical

   not musical in nature
3. adjective

   talented in or devoted to music
   “comes from a very musical family”

   synonyms:

   philharmonic

   devoted to or appreciative of music

   antonyms:

   unmusical

   lacking interest in or talent for music
4. adjective

   containing or constituting or characterized by pleasing melody
   synonyms: melodic, melodious

   ariose, songlike

   having a melody (as distinguished from recitative)

   canorous, songful

   richly melodious

   cantabile, singing

   smooth and flowing

   dulcet, honeyed, mellifluous, mellisonant, sweet

   pleasing to the ear

   lyrical

   suitable for or suggestive of singing
5. noun

   a play or film whose action and dialogue is interspersed with singing and dancing
   synonyms: musical comedy, musical theater

   type of:

   film, flick, motion picture, motion-picture show, movie, moving picture, moving-picture show, pic, picture, picture show

   a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement

   play

   a theatrical performance of a drama