Musical


of, relating to, or producing :
a musical instrument.
of the nature of or resembling ; melodious; harmonious.
fond of or skilled in .
set to or accompanied by :
a musical entertainment.
Also called musical comedy. a play or motion picture in which the story line is interspersed with or developed by songs, dances, and the like.
Contemporary Examples

Nat Hentoff explains why we’re still playing catch up with this musical genius.
The Stacks: John Coltrane’s Mighty Musical Quest Nat Hentoff October 17, 2014

During her long and heartfelt acceptance speech, Madonna paid generous tribute to her two, largely forgotten, musical mentors.
The Lost Madonna Tapes Andrew Morton October 19, 2008

That means we can produce a Broadway musical of Sparkle, with some caveats.
The Saga of Whitney Houston’s Last Movie, ‘Sparkle’ Howard Rosenman February 12, 2012

Surprise: Parks and Recreation Last year, the Globes nominated Smash for Best Comedy or musical and snubbed Parks and Recreation.
15 Golden Globe Snubs and Surprises: No Oprah, No Jon Hamm, and More Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern December 11, 2013

Most rock (or pop) stars, then as now, seem like superheroes—a separate breed destined from birth for musical ubiquity.
Remembering Weezer’s ‘The Blue Album,’ A Garage Rock Classic, on Its 20th Anniversary Andrew Romano May 9, 2014

Historical Examples

But all the musical, ocular, and facial beauties are absent from writing.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 83, September, 1864 Various

When Vavasor was gone she turned with greater diligence to her musical studies.
Weighed and Wanting George MacDonald

There are sounds which are musical, and others that are raucous and mere noise.
Spirit and Music H. Ernest Hunt

Far away through the forest might be heard its musical clangor and swell.
The White Company Arthur Conan Doyle

He was formerly connected with a musical organization in Boston.
Music and Some Highly Musical People James M. Trotter

adjective
of, relating to, or used in music: a musical instrument
harmonious; melodious: musical laughter
talented in or fond of music
involving or set to music: a musical evening
noun
short for musical comedy
adj.

early 15c., “pertaining to music; tuneful, harmonious; adept at making music,” from Middle French musical (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin musicalis, from Latin musica (see music). Musical box is from 1829. Children’s game musical chairs is attested from 1877, hence use of musical as a modifier meaning “changing rapidly from one to another possessor” (1924). Related: Musically.
n.

“theatrical piece in which music figures prominently,” 1937, from musical (adj.) in musical play. Earlier as a noun it meant “musical instrument” (c.1500), “musical performance” (1570s); “musical party” (1823, a sense now in musicale).

A play or film that contains musical numbers. Musicals can be comedic (see musical comedy) or serious in tone, such as Porgy and Bess.

modifier

Changing rapidly from one to another possessor: At night in Port-au-Prince a massive game of musical houses is going on/ The revolving cast of Love Letters has become something of a game of musical celebrities/ Neither partner will relinquish the coop; this is black comedy, a wickedly funny tale of musical apartments and malfunctioning appliances

[1924+; the date refers to the first occurrence of musical chairs, the game in which players circle a set of chairs and sit in any one available when the music stops]

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