musical Hear it!

musical Definition

mu·si·cal (myo̵̅o̅′zi kəl)

adjective

  1. of or for the creation, production, or performance of music
  2. having the nature of music; melodious or harmonious
  3. fond of, sensitive to, or skilled in music
  4. set to music; accompanied by music

Etymology: ME < ML musicalis < L musica

noun

  1. ☆ a theatrical or film production, often elaborately costumed and staged, with dialogue developing the story line and an integrated musical score featuring songs and dances in a popular idiom
  2. Archaic musicale

musical Related Forms
mu′·si·cal′·ity (-kal′ə tē) noun mu′·si·cally adverb
musical Synonyms

musical

modif.

  1. Having the qualities of music

    harmonious, tuneful, dulcet, sweet, pleasing, agreeable, euphonious, melic, symphonious, symphonic, lyric, mellow, vocal, choral, silvery, canorous, assonant, unisonant, unisonous, homophonous, consonant, rhythmical; see also harmonious 1, melodious.

    Antonyms tuneless, discordant, harsh.

  2. Having aptitude for music

    gifted, talented, musically inclined; see artistic 2.

musical Synonyms

musical

n.

musicale, choral service, songfest, musical comedy, Broadway show, song-and-dance, minstrel show, oratorio, burlesque; see also opera, performance 2, show 1.

musical Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • perform: Under the creative direction of Joan Macalpine, the Thorndike Young Stagers performed new musicals based on local themes.
  • write: In collaboration with a drama teacher, David Calder he has written a musical called Black Bart's Treasure.
  • hit: He works mainly in musical theater and is currently performing on stage in the London's hit West End musical ' Chicago ' .
  • base: RENT: This film adaptation of the Broadway musical based loosely on Puccini's opera La Boheme features many members of the original cast.

Adjective modifier

  • West: Louise Gold is making a habit of playing unsavory characters in West End musicals.
  • long-running: Phantom Bible Study - It's been a joy to re-establish our regular backstage meetings on London's long-running musical.
  • award-winning: Find Tickets Blood Brothers Willy Russell's classic, award-winning musical telling the story of twin brothers separated at birth.
  • classic: Find Tickets Blood Brothers Willy Russell's classic, award-winning musical telling the story of twin brothers separated at birth.
  • popular: There was also a local group singing tunes from popular musicals and some dancing by local Asian and African dance companies.
  • favorite: The lines I added are from my favorite musical, Sunday in the Park with George.

Modifies a noun

  • instrument: Learning a musical instrument is a gift for life.
  • talent: Valkyrie's musical talent first revealed itself at a similar time.
  • genre: Club Triangle had many musical genres to choose from for their party.
  • accompaniment: In opera all parts are normally sung to musical accompaniment.
  • taste: What key moments formed your musical tastes growing up?
  • notation: Children can also learn basic musical notation & learn to recognize 8 musical instruments.

Used with adjective complement

  • hit: The smash hit musical based around the songs of ABBA hits the road.

Noun used with modifier

  • hit: The star of such hit musicals as Kiss Me Kate and Showboat, Kathryn Grayson was originally made to ride horses!
  • stage: The stage musical became one of the longest running Broadway musicals of all time.
  • end: Louise Gold is making a habit of playing unsavory characters in West End musicals.
musical Quotes

Happy is the country which has no history, and happier still is that musical comedyabout which one can find nothing to say.

—Agate,James

Hell isfull of musical amateurs: music isthebrandyofthe damned.

—Shaw, George Bernard

The fact is, there are no rules and there never were any rules, and there never will be any rules of musical composition except rules of thumb; and thumbs vary in length, like ears.

—Shaw, George Bernard

Which is more musical, a truck passing bya factory or a truck passing by a music school?

—Cage,John