A Cappella Definition

ä kə-pĕlə
adverb
Without instrumental accompaniment.
American Heritage

(music) In a manner of a choir with no instrumental accompaniment; literally "in the style of the (Sistine) Chapel (in Rome)"; such as a musical Mass done a cappella.[First attested in the late 19th century.]

Groups of teens singing a cappella on street corners got recording contracts.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
adjective
Without instrumental accompaniment.
Webster's New World
(music) Singing solely or mainly without instrumental accompaniment.[First attested in the late 19th century.]
An a cappella group sang during the wedding reception.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of A Cappella

Noun

Singular:
a cappella
Plural:
a cappellas

Origin of A Cappella

  • From Italian alla cappella (“in the manner of the [Sistine] chapel”), referring to non-instrumental choirs; from Latin a-, ad, "to", + cappella, "chapel".

    From Wiktionary

  • Italian a in the manner of cappella chapel, choir

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

A Cappella Sentence Examples

  • Come to the auditions prepared to sing three a cappella songs of your choice.

  • Instead, consider hiring a string quartet for the ceremony and a small local band or a cappella group for the reception.

  • Music acts range from country western arrangements to a cappella groups as well as piano, jazz, guitar, and other talented musicians.

  • For instance, on American Idol, you will be asked to sing at least one song a cappella during the initial few auditions.

  • In time of war this cloak was carried with the army in the field, and was kept in a tent which itself came to be known as a cappella or capella.

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