View synonyms for voice

voice

[ vois ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the sound or sounds uttered through the mouth of living creatures, especially of human beings in speaking, shouting, singing, etc.
the faculty or power of uttering sounds through the mouth by the controlled expulsion of air; speech:
to lose one's voice.
a range of such sounds distinctive to one person, or to a type of person or animal:
Her voice is commanding.
the condition or effectiveness of the voice for speaking or singing:
to be in poor voice.
a sound likened to or resembling vocal utterance:
the voice of the wind.
Synonyms: call, cry
something likened to speech as conveying impressions to the mind:
the voice of nature.
expression in spoken or written words, or by other means:
to give voice to one's disapproval by a letter.
the right to present and receive consideration of one's desires or opinions:
We were given no voice in the election.
an expressed opinion or choice:
a voice for compromise.
an expressed will or desire:
the voice of the people.
expressed wish or injunction:
obedient to the voice of God.
Synonyms: command, order
the person or other agency through which something is expressed or revealed:
a warning that proved to be the voice of prophecy.
Synonyms: vocalist, organ, mouthpiece
a singer:
one of our best voices.
a voice part:
a score for piano and voice.
Phonetics. the audible result of phonation and resonance.
Grammar.
1. a set of categories for which the verb is inflected in some languages, as Latin, and which is typically used to indicate the relation of the verbal action to the subject as performer, undergoer, or beneficiary of its action.
2. a set of syntactic devices in some languages, as English, that is similar to this set in function.
3. any of the categories of these sets:
  the English passive voice; the Greek middle voice.
the finer regulation, as of intensity and color, in tuning, especially of a piano or organ.

verb (used with object)

, voiced, voic·ing.

to give utterance or expression to; declare; proclaim:
to voice one's discontent.
Synonyms: publish, divulge, disclose, reveal
Music.
1. to regulate the tone of, as the pipes of an organ.
2. to write the voice parts for (music).
to utter with the voice.
Phonetics. to pronounce with glottal vibration.
to interpret from sign language into spoken language.

adjective

Computers. of or relating to the use of human or synthesized speech:
voice-data entry; voice output.
Telecommunications. of or relating to the transmission of speech or data over media designed for the transmission of speech:
voice-grade channel;
voice-data network.

voice

/ vɔɪs /

noun

See speech
the sound made by the vibration of the vocal cords, esp when modified by the resonant effect of the tongue and mouth See also speech vocal
the natural and distinctive tone of the speech sounds characteristic of a particular person
nobody could mistake his voice
the condition, quality, effectiveness, or tone of such sounds
a hysterical voice
the musical sound of a singing voice, with respect to its quality or tone
she has a lovely voice
the ability to speak, sing, etc
he has lost his voice
a sound resembling or suggestive of vocal utterance
the voice of hard experience
the voice of the sea
written or spoken expression, as of feeling, opinion, etc (esp in the phrase give voice to )
a stated choice, wish, or opinion or the power or right to have an opinion heard and considered
to give someone a voice in a decision
an agency through which is communicated another's purpose, policy, etc
such groups are the voice of our enemies
music
1. musical notes produced by vibrations of the vocal cords at various frequencies and in certain registers
  a tenor voice
2. (in harmony) an independent melodic line or part
  a fugue in five voices
phonetics the sound characterizing the articulation of several speech sounds, including all vowels or sonants, that is produced when the vocal cords make loose contact with each other and are set in vibration by the breath as it forces its way through the glottis
See middle, passive, active
grammar a category of the verb or verbal inflections that expresses whether the relation between the subject and the verb is that of agent and action, action and recipient, or some other relation See active passive middle
obsolete.
rumour
obsolete.
foll by of fame; renown
in voice
in voice in a condition to sing or speak well
out of voice
out of voice with the voice temporarily in a poor condition, esp for singing
with one voice
with one voice unanimously

verb

to utter in words; give expression to
to voice a complaint
to articulate (a speech sound) with voice
music to adjust (a wind instrument or organ pipe) so that it conforms to the correct standards of tone colour, pitch, etc
to provide the voice for (a puppet or cartoon character) in an animated film

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Derived Forms

ˈvoicer, noun

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Other Words From

voicer noun
outvoice verb (used with object) outvoiced outvoicing
under·voice noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of voice¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, (noun) from Anglo-French voiz, voice or directly from Old French voiz, vois, from Latin vōcem, accusative of vōx; akin to vocāre “to call,” Greek óps “voice,” épos “word” ( epic ), Sanskrit vakti “(he) speaks”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of voice¹

C13: from Old French voiz, from Latin vōx

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

the still, small voice, the conscience:
He was only occasionally troubled by the still, small voice.
with one voice, in accord; unanimously:
They arose and with one voice acclaimed the new president.

More idioms and phrases containing voice

see at the top of one's lungs (voice) ; give voice to ; have a say (voice) in ; raise one's voice ; still small voice ; with one voice .

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Example Sentences

I’m going to do what I can to change, to lobby and use my voice on behalf of some of these changes.

From Ozy

The increasing usage of voice search and voice-enabled devices also offers an opportunity for consumer brands to make it easier than ever for customers to find their products.

From Search Engine Watch

Growing up in Texas, Priya Tahim felt like she didn’t have a voice.

From Quartz

Honoring our grandparents is important and it’s great to have your voice be a part of this conversation.

From Essence.com

In Hurston’s book, power is shown through who is given a voice.

From Fortune

“Jeffrey wanted me to tell you that you looked so pretty,” the female voice said into my disbelieving ear.

From The Daily Beast

As he drove me back to the logging road, Frank told me about the area in his deep voice.

From The Daily Beast

When he does, here is a gentleness in his voice, a reflective and lovely quality that no movie he has been in has ever captured.

From The Daily Beast

The Millennial Action Project (MAP) seeks to engage young people in politics and give them more of a voice in governing.

From The Daily Beast

“He is borrowing my voice to tell you this story,” she told the crowd.

From The Daily Beast

Other things being equal, the volume of voice used measures the value that the mind puts upon the thought.

From Project Gutenberg

She was flushed and felt intoxicated with the sound of her own voice and the unaccustomed taste of candor.

From Project Gutenberg

I called out several times, as loud as I could raise my voice, but all to no purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

The Princess still kept her eyes fixed on Louis, while, in a suppressed and unsteady voice, she answered her governess.

From Project Gutenberg

For this use of the voice in the special service of will-power, or propelling force, it is necessary first to test its freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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More About Voice

What is a basic definition of voice?

Voice is the sounds, especially speech, that a living thing makes using their mouth or the ability to use vocal chords and air to make sounds. Voice is also an expressed desire. Voice means to express something. In grammar, voice refers to how a verb is used in a sentence to express if the subject of the sentence is receiving or performing an action. Voice has many other senses as a noun, verb, and adjective.

A person’s voice is all of those sounds you hear that you recognize as words or emotional noises, such as shouts or screams. While animals, such as monkeys and cats, also make noises using their mouths, voice is nearly always used to refer to the speech of humans. When a person says they heard a voice, they usually mean a noise that sounded like a person talking.

Real-life examples: You can probably recognize people you know by only hearing their voice. When you talk on the phone, you are listening to someone’s voice.

Used in a sentence: We heard loud voices coming from down the hallway.

The word voice also refers to the ability to use air to make audible sounds. This sense is often used when a person loses their ability to speak, such as due to illness.

Used in a sentence: The flu caused Jessica to lose her voice for a few days.

Voice is also used to mean a stated desire or will. This sense is especially common when discussing politics, activism, protesting, or similar activities.

Real-life examples: In the United States, citizens often express their voice by voting or sending messages to politicians. Politicians and other leaders are often expected to listen to the voice of the people rather than do whatever they want.

Used in a sentence: The company listened to the voice of the customers and made changes to their new toy line.

As a verb, voice means to utter or declare something.

Real-life examples: People often voice their opinions on the Internet using social media. Employees sometimes voice concerns to their bosses during staff meetings.

Used in a sentence: The animal rights group voiced their outrage at the city council meeting.

The word voice is used in English grammar to refer to the two main ways we express “who is doing what to whom” in a sentence. English has two verb voices. In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb, as in Jim walks. In passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb, as in The test was taken by the students.

Active voice used in a sentence: Dennis baked a cake.

Passive voice used in a sentence: A cake was baked by Dennis.

Where does voice come from?

The first records of the term voice come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Latin vōx.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to voice?

voicer (noun)
outvoice (verb)
undervoice (noun)

What are some synonyms for voice?

What are some words that share a root or word element with voice?

What are some words that often get used in discussing voice?

How is voice used in real life?

Voice is a common word that most often refers to the speaking sounds that a person makes.

Pet Peeve: loud voices and noises at early hours in the morning.

— Trevor Evans (@trevor_5k) November 24, 2020

Sofia whimpered in pain weakly. The pain was almost enough to pull her to consciousness. She could here River but her voice came and went in waves. Sofia felt herself drift away again.

— Mafia Princess (@gxthams_Falcone) December 22, 2020

It has been revealed to me that I am sometimes given to the passive voice in things written by me.

— Matt Ferris (@ferrismattic) November 24, 2020

Try using voice!

Is voice used correctly in the following sentence?

The police heard a mysterious voice in the wall, which turned out to be a burglar making a phone call.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Vogul voice-activated

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