View synonyms for

a cappella

[ah kuh-pel-uh, ah kahp-pel-lah]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

Music.

Sometimes acappella without instrumental accompaniment.
in the style of church or chapel music.

a cappella

/ ɑː kəˈpɛlə /

adjective

music without instrumental accompaniment

a cappella

Choral singing performed without instruments. The expression means “in chapel style” in Italian. Centuries ago, religious music composed for use in chapels — which, unlike large churches, had no organs — was usually for voices only.

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of a cappella¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from Italian: literally, “in the manner of a chapel (choir)”

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of a cappella¹

Italian: literally, according to (the style of the) chapel

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It plays softly in the background, and then Bono sings it, solo, a cappella.

From

But who would watch a show about Charlotte and Harry, and LTW and Herbert, living and loving and occasionally hooting in support of their friend’s corny a cappella outfit?

From

But as soon as it was over, I went back and listened to “Springsteen” a cappella in 30-mile-an-hour winds that night, and I knew it was good.

From

While still at school, Marianne began singing folk songs a cappella in Reading coffee-houses - and, before long, her exquisite looks and obvious talent saw her sucked into the vortex of Swinging 60s London.

From

She encouraged everyone in the room to participate as she sang “America the Beautiful” entirely a cappella.

From

acapnia a capriccio

Browse