Etymologically
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musical

Etymology and origin of the English word musical

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
c. 1420
Borrowed from
Middle French musical via Middle English
Ultimate origin
Medieval Latin (musicalis)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈmjuː.zɪ.kəl/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English musical, borrowed from Middle French musical,[2][3] from Medieval Latin mūsicālis,[4][2] from Latin mūsica “music”,[4][2] from Greek mousikḗ “art of the Muses”.[4] It is related to music and muse.[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of or belonging to music: about 1420 in the OED, the early 15th century in Etymonline.[5][4] Fond of or skilled in music is also about 1420 in the OED, the late 15th century in Etymonline.[5][4]

Semantic evolution

Tuneful or harmonious is from about 1430, the mid-15th century in Etymonline.[5][4] Of or pertaining to the Muses is from 1490 and is obsolete.[5] Set to or accompanied by music is from 1685.[5] Musical box is from 1829, and musical chairs from 1862;[4] from the game came musical meaning “passing quickly from one holder to another” (1924).[4] The noun first meant a musical instrument (about 1500) and a musical performance (1570s);[4] the modern noun, a play or film with songs, is from 1937, short for musical comedy (1781) or musical play.[4][2]

Timeline

  • c. 1420 – of music; skilled in music.[5]
  • c. 1430 – tuneful.[5]
  • 1685 – set to music.[5]
  • 1781 – musical comedy.[4]
  • 1829 – musical box.[4]
  • 1862 – musical chairs.[4]
  • 1937 – noun, a musical show.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Relating to or containing music.
  2. Good at playing or fond of music.
  3. Pleasant to listen to, like music; melodious.

Noun

  1. A play or film in which singing and dancing are an important part of the story.

Word family

  • musically
  • musicality
  • antimusical
  • extramusical
  • musicalise
  • musicalize
  • nonmusical
  • premusical

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Musical.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/musical. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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