modal meaning and definition

MODAL noun

Definition of modal (noun)

1. an auxiliary verb (such as `can' or `will') that is used to express modality
   • synonyms: modal auxiliary, modal auxiliary verb, modal verb

MODAL adjective

Definition of modal (adjective)

1. relating to or constituting the most frequent value in a distribution
   • "the modal age at which American novelists reach their peak is 30"
   • synonyms: average
2. of or relating to a musical mode; especially written in an ecclesiastical mode
3. relating to or expressing the mood of a verb
   • "modal auxiliary"