vocalize

verb

vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
vocalized; vocalizing

transitive verb

1
: to give voice to : utter
specifically : sing
2
a
: to make voiced rather than voiceless : voice
b
: to convert to a vowel
3
: to furnish (something, such as a consonantal Hebrew or Arabic text) with vowels or vowel points

intransitive verb

1
: to utter vocal sounds
2
: sing
specifically : to sing without words
vocalization noun
vocalizer noun

Examples of vocalize in a Sentence

The male bird vocalizes to attract a mate. she's not one to vocalize her worries
Recent Examples on the Web Hearing actors sign, deaf performers occasionally vocalize, especially in urgent moments. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2024 The team doesn’t vocalize winning a state championship as its goal; that’s just implied. Logan Stanley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Jan. 2024 The burden of vocalizing these experiences should never have been mine or anyone else’s. Tiffany Red, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2023 To his credit, Altman has consistently and loudly vocalized such concerns, even though his company unleashed the disruptive chatbot known as ChatGPT onto the world. Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2024 Male specimens were found perched on vegetation near ponds and vocalizing, according to researchers. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2024 Jones and dozens of other stars vocalized their belief in the power of independent film. David Graver, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2024 Eight months brings more vocalizing, mostly in the form of two-syllable utterances that your baby uses to indicate things in their life. Parents Editors, Parents, 19 Sep. 2023 For hours, Giles remembered, the whales breached and vocalized, slapping their fins and flukes against the water. Caitlin Gibson, Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vocalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocalize was in 1669

Dictionary Entries Near vocalize

Cite this Entry

“Vocalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocalize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vocalize

verb
vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
vocalized; vocalizing
: to give voice to
especially : sing entry 1 sense 1a
vocalizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vocalize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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