vo·cal·ize / ˈvōkəˌlīz/ • v. [tr.] 1. utter (a sound or word): the child vocalizes a number of distinct sounds | [intr.] a warbler vocalized from a reed bed. ∎ express (something) with words: Gillie could scarcely vocalize her responses. ∎ [intr.] Mus. sing with several notes to one vowel. 2. Phonet. change (a consonant) to a semivowel or vowel. 3. write (a language such as Hebrew) with vowel points.DERIVATIVES: vo·cal·i·za·tion / ˌvōkələˈzāshən/ n.vo·cal·iz·er n.