a cappella

Meaning

Noun

A vocal performance with no instrumental accompaniment.

Adv

1. (not-comparable) In the manner of a choir with no instrumental accompaniment.
2. (not-comparable, obsolete) In alla breve time.

Adj

1. (not-comparable) Singing solely or mainly without instrumental accompaniment.
2. (US, not-comparable) Related to a form of purely vocal music mostly associated with American college performance groups.
3. (not-comparable, obsolete) alla breve.

Translations

a cappella

a cappella

a cappella

ad sacellum

a capella

a cappella

a capella

a cappella

a capella

a capela

a cappella

sem acompanhamento musical

solo

a capela

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌæ.kəˈpɛl.ə/

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian a cappella (“in the manner of the [Sistine] chapel”), referring to non-instrumental choirs.