WordGarden.iovocalize
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /vˈəʊkəlˌaɪz/
US
- /ˈvoʊkəˌlaɪz/
Meanings
Verb
to express or say something aloud in words
to make sounds with the voice, especially by singing or calling
Beyond the definition
To vocalize means to make sounds with your voice, not just by speaking words, but also by expressing thoughts or feelings out loud. A shy person might struggle to vocalize their opinion, while a singer spends hours practicing how to sing a melody clearly and well. Animals vocalize too, through growls, chirps, or roars. It is about using your voice to bring something inside you, such as an idea, emotion, or sound, out into the open.
Imagine a beautiful melody swirling in your head. You can "hear" it perfectly, but until you vocalize it—until you actually sing or hum it aloud—it remains trapped inside. That's at the heart of what "vocalize" means: to express something using your voice.
It goes beyond simply speaking. While anyone can say "I'm happy," to truly vocalize happiness might involve a joyful laugh, an enthusiastic tone, or even singing a celebratory song. It suggests bringing sound out from within. A therapist might encourage a patient to "vocalize their feelings," meaning to talk openly about what they are experiencing.
Vocalization isn't limited to humans either! Animals vocalize constantly through barks, meows, chirps, roars, and other sounds to communicate with each other. A bird "vocalizing" its song is a beautiful example of this natural expression.
In music, "vocalizing" can also refer to practicing scales or melodies using only vowel sounds, such as "ah," "ee," or "oh." This helps improve vocal control and tone. It is about the pure sound of the voice, without the distraction of words.
So whether it's sharing thoughts, expressing emotions, communicating with animals, or honing musical skills, to vocalize is to give voice to something—to bring it into being through the power of sound.
Examples
- 1
Planning feedback
If you have a problem with the plan, vocalize it early.
- 2
Feelings
He finds it hard to vocalize his feelings, even with close friends.
- 3
Team communication
The coach told the team to vocalize their needs instead of staying quiet.
- 4
Speech therapy
During playtime, the therapist waited for the child to vocalize on his own.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Animal communication
Some whales vocalize over long distances to communicate with each other.
- 6
Choir warm-up
The choir spent a few minutes vocalizing before the concert.
- Domainvocalize
practice singing sounds as a warm-up
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- vocalizeverb
Forms
- vocalizing-ing formverb
- vocalizedpast tenseverb
- vocalizesverb