musical
musical — adjective
1. relating to any aspect of music, such as instruments, performance, training, or
relating to any aspect of music, such as instruments, performance, training, or composition — for example, a musical instrument, a musical career, or a musical festival.
The Watanabe children take musical lessons every Saturday morning.
attributive: musical + noun (lessons)
Obi's grandmother gave him an old musical box that plays a soft tune.
Putri collects rare musical instruments from different parts of Asia.
The city's musical festival draws thousands of visitors each July.
Gabriel wrote a short musical piece for his friend's wedding ceremony.
- instrumental
narrower — only refers to instruments, not singing or composition
- melodic
focuses on the quality of having a pleasant tune, not the broader connection to music
- harmonic
technical; relates to the combination of notes, not general musical connection
- non-musical
not related to music
文法句型
musical + noun
用法筆記
Only sense that functions attributively before a noun (a musical instrument, a musical career). When used predicatively (Her voice is musical) the meaning shifts toward sense 3.
常見錯誤
2. having a natural ability to play, sing, or understand music, or a strong liking
having a natural ability to play, sing, or understand music, or a strong liking for music — for example, a child who quickly learns to play the piano by ear and enjoys performing.
From a young age, Valentina was musical and could sing before she could talk.
predicative: was + musical (describing a person)
The choir teacher said that Daichi is the most musical student she has ever taught.
superlative: the most musical
Putri's family is very musical — they often gather to play folk songs together.
Otis showed he was musical by picking out a tune after hearing it once.
Jenna is not just a skilled pianist; she is deeply musical in how she plays.
文法句型
be + musical
seem + musical
very + musical
用法筆記
Describes a person's natural or cultivated quality, not a temporary state. Frequently used with be, seem, or become. The subject must be a person or a group of people (a musical family).
常見錯誤
3. having a soft, pleasing sound that is enjoyable to hear, similar to music — for
having a soft, pleasing sound that is enjoyable to hear, similar to music — for example, a voice with a smooth flow, a gentle laugh, or the sound of wind chimes.
The old clock had a musical chime that rang gently every hour.
attributive: musical + noun (chime)
Gabriel spoke in a low, musical voice that made everyone stop to listen.
The small stream made a musical sound as it ran over the smooth stones.
Chiara's laugh was so musical that it cheered up the whole waiting room.
The bamboo wind chimes on the porch made a soft, musical sound in the breeze.
- melodious
closest synonym; specifically describes a pleasant series of notes
- harmonious
emphasises that sounds combine well together
- lyrical
suggests a flowing, song-like quality, often used for voices
- sweet-sounding
more informal; describes a simple, gentle pleasantness
- harsh
rough and unpleasant to hear
- discordant
lacking harmony; clashing in sound
文法句型
musical + noun (sound, voice, laugh)
be + musical
用法筆記
Typically describes sounds made by nature, objects, or voices — not usually applied to music itself (a song is melodic, not musical in this sense). Distinguish from sense 2: describes the quality of a sound, not a person's ability.
常見錯誤
musical — noun
1. a type of theatrical show or movie in which the characters express feelings and
a type of theatrical show or movie in which the characters express feelings and tell the story through songs — often with dancing and spoken dialogue between the musical numbers.
Trang and Ryan went to see a musical about a famous singer last weekend.
countable noun: go to see a musical
The school put on a musical that was written by the drama teacher.
Diya has watched the same musical film at least four times this year.
Jenna's dream is to perform in a musical on a Broadway stage.
The musical tells the story of a young dancer who moves to New York.
- musical comedy
historical term for light, humorous musicals
- opera
a sung-through dramatic work, usually classical, without spoken dialogue
- operetta
a light, short opera with some spoken dialogue
文法句型
a + musical
see/watch + a + musical
be in + a + musical
用法筆記
Countable noun. In British English mostly refers to a stage production; in American English it may refer to either a stage show or a movie musical. Often used attributively (musical theatre, musical film).