a cappella

Where does the word "a cappella" come from? It comes from Italian a cappella, and was adopted directly into English (1870s).

A cappella’s story begins in Italian: a cappella meant “in the chapel style.” Literally in the chapel style, referring to unaccompanied choral singing. It reached English by 1870s as a cappella. Italian for 'in the chapel style', recalling unaccompanied church choirs; the phrase spread with Victorian choral societies. Today, a cappella means vocal music performed without instrumental accompaniment.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · 1600s a cappella "in the chapel style", literally in the chapel style, referring to unaccompanied choral singing.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1870s a cappella "singing without instrumental accompaniment", Italian for 'in the chapel style', recalling unaccompanied church choirs; the phrase spread with Victorian choral societies.