adjective / noun

musical

MYOO-zih-kuhl/ˈmjuːzɪkl/

Relating to music.

The dancer responds gracefully to the pianist's musical accompaniment.

An adult dancer moves gracefully to a nearby pianist's playing, harmony between sound and movement in a plain studio, no text.

Etymology

musGreekMuse

+icGreekpertaining to

+alLatinrelating to

The Muse-based name for the musical art supplies the base of this adjective. From “pertaining to music,” it also developed the sense “tuneful or harmonious,” describing sounds with music's pleasing qualities.

In context

TED-Ed4:49

So, what does our musical creation sound like? (Music) Eh, sounds okay, but maybe a bit thin, right? Let's add another instrument with its own pitch and rhythm. Now it's sounding like music.

How to read music - Tim Hansen

More examples

We watch a musical about two rival dance groups.
Her musical daughter learns new songs by ear.
Her laugh has a light, musical quality.

Forms

musical · musicals · more musical · most musical

musician noun — A person who plays or creates music.

musically adverb — In a way that involves music.

Similar words

melodic: Describes melody specifically, rather than everything connected with music.
tuneful: Emphasizes a pleasing tune rather than general connections to music.