vocalize

verb

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

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
ˌvō-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
noun
vocalizer
ˈvō-kə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
noun

Synonyms of vocalize

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Supporting each other through vocalizing their backstories makes their bond stronger. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 May 2026 Members of the Jewish community have vocalized feeling less safe in recent years. — Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 3 May 2026 The caption reveals what the video doesn't show right away that roughly a kilometer into the run, her dog stopped before a leopard vocalized about 164 feet away. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026 Qing Bao has become increasingly active in return, wandering her habitat, scent marking, climbing trees and vocalizing back at Bao Li. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vocalize

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

Rhymes for vocalize

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Browse Nearby Words

vocality
vocalize
vocalizer
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Cite this Entry

“Vocalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocalize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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
ˈvō-kə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vocalize

Nglish: Translation of vocalize for Spanish Speakers

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