a cappella
adverb
- without accompaniment (vocal music)
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌæ.kəˈpɛl.ə/ / /ˌæ.kæˈpɛl.ə/ / /ˌɑ kəˈpɛl.ə/
adj
Etymology: Borrowed from Italian a cappella (“in the manner of the [Sistine] chapel”), referring to non-instrumental choirs.
- Singing solely or mainly without instrumental accompaniment.
“An a cappella group sang during the wedding reception.”
- Related to a form of purely vocal music mostly associated with American college performance groups.
“Socially, a cappella groups tend to be tight-knit ensembles in which close interpersonal relationships are formed.”
- alla breve.
adv
Etymology: Borrowed from Italian a cappella (“in the manner of the [Sistine] chapel”), referring to non-instrumental choirs.
- In the manner of a choir with no instrumental accompaniment.
“Groups of teens singing a cappella on street corners got recording contracts.”
- In alla breve time.
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from Italian a cappella (“in the manner of the [Sistine] chapel”), referring to non-instrumental choirs.
- A vocal performance with no instrumental accompaniment.