Musical
/ˈmjuː.zɪ.kəl/noun
Relating to music or characterized by music; also, a stage production with songs and dance.
Did you know?The word ultimately descends from the Greek Muses, so every time you say “musical,” you’re echoing a term that originally pointed to divine inspiration, not just entertainment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“to think, have in mind”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μοῦσα (moûsa)
“a Muse, a goddess of inspiration”
Late Latin
Latin
mūsicus
“of the Muses; pertaining to music”
Old French
Old French
musical
“musical, relating to music”
Middle English
English
musical
“pertaining to music; melodious”
Modern English
English
musical
“relating to music; a musical stage production”