vocal

vocal — adjective

1. connected with the human voice, especially how it is used for speaking or singin

1.形容詞B1
釋義

connected with the human voice, especially how it is used for speaking or singing

例句

Sivan has been taking vocal lessons to improve her singing technique.

vocal lessons — training that focuses on the singing voice

The doctor examined Chidi's vocal cords after he lost his voice for a week.

vocal cords — the folds of tissue in the throat that produce sound

同義詞
  • spoken

    focuses on the oral expression rather than the sound-producing mechanism; 'spoken language' vs 'vocal cords'

  • oral

    more formal and often used for communication methods ('oral exam'); broader than 'vocal'

  • uttered

    refers to the act of saying something out loud; less common in everyday use

反義詞
  • silent

    not involving any sound from the voice

  • nonvocal

    technical opposite; rarely used in general English

用法筆記

Often appears before nouns related to the anatomy of speech (cords, muscles, folds) or to performing arts (lessons, range, warm-up).

常見錯誤

❌He has a vocal problem' (when meaning 'voice problem').
✅He has a voice problem.
💡'vocal' is an adjective describing the type of problem, not a noun; use 'voice + noun' for everyday speech about the quality of someone's voice.

2. expressing your opinions strongly and directly, especially when they are differe

2.形容詞B2
釋義

expressing your opinions strongly and directly, especially when they are different from what most people think

例句

Noor has become increasingly vocal about the need for better public transportation.

vocal about — expressing strong opinions on a topic

The residents were vocal in their opposition to the new highway project.

vocal in [their] opposition — openly and strongly disagreeing

同義詞
  • outspoken

    very similar, but 'outspoken' can suggest the speaker is being frank even when it is risky; slightly stronger than 'vocal'

  • forthright

    focuses on honesty and directness rather than loudness; more formal

  • strident

    has a negative tone, suggesting the person is too loud or aggressive in expressing opinions

反義詞
  • quiet

    not expressing opinions openly

  • reserved

    keeping one's thoughts and feelings to oneself

  • reticent

    hesitant to speak; more formal

文法句型

vocal + about + noun

vocal + in + noun

用法筆記

Unlike 'outspoken', 'vocal' does not necessarily imply that the opinions are unwelcome or blunt — it simply emphasises that the person makes their views heard. Frequently used with 'about' or 'in' to introduce the topic.

常見錯誤

❌She was vocal against the new rule.
✅She was vocal in her opposition to the new rule.' or 'She was vocal about being against the new rule.
💡'vocal' takes 'about' for topics or 'in' for stances, not 'against'.

3. filled with the overlapping sound of many people talking, shouting, or singing a

3.形容詞C1
釋義

filled with the overlapping sound of many people talking, shouting, or singing at the same time

例句

The marketplace was vocal with the chatter of hundreds of shoppers.

vocal with — full of the sound of many voices

From across the valley, they could hear the vocal celebration of the festival crowd.

同義詞
  • resonant

    focuses on a deep, clear, echoing quality rather than the presence of many voices

  • sonorous

    describes a rich, deep, impressive sound; more formal and less common

  • echoing

    emphasises the repetition of sound off surfaces rather than the source being voices

反義詞
  • silent

    completely without sound

  • still

    quiet and calm, with little or no movement or sound

文法句型

vocal + with + noun

vocal — noun