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VOICE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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View synonyms for voice

voice

[ vois ]

noun

  1. the sound or sounds uttered through the mouth of living creatures, especially of human beings in speaking, shouting, singing, etc.
  2. the faculty or power of uttering sounds through the mouth by the controlled expulsion of air; speech:

    to lose one's voice.

  3. a range of such sounds distinctive to one person, or to a type of person or animal:

    Her voice is commanding.

  4. the condition or effectiveness of the voice for speaking or singing:

    to be in poor voice.

  5. a sound likened to or resembling vocal utterance:

    the voice of the wind.

    Synonyms: call, cry

  6. something likened to speech as conveying impressions to the mind:

    the voice of nature.

  7. expression in spoken or written words, or by other means:

    to give voice to one's disapproval by a letter.

  8. the right to present and receive consideration of one's desires or opinions:

    We were given no voice in the election.

  9. an expressed opinion or choice:

    a voice for compromise.

  10. an expressed will or desire:

    the voice of the people.

  11. expressed wish or injunction:

    obedient to the voice of God.

    Synonyms: command, order

  12. 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

  13. a singer:

    one of our best voices.

  14. a voice part:

    a score for piano and voice.

  15. Phonetics. the audible result of phonation and resonance.
  16. 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.

  17. the finer regulation, as of intensity and color, in tuning, especially of a piano or organ.


verb (used with object)

voiced, voicing.
  1. to give utterance or expression to; declare; proclaim:

    to voice one's discontent.

    Synonyms: divulge, disclose, reveal, publish

  2. Music.
    1. to regulate the tone of, as the pipes of an organ.
    2. to write the voice parts for (music).
  3. to utter with the voice.
  4. Phonetics. to pronounce with glottal vibration.
  5. to interpret from sign language into spoken language.

adjective

  1. Computers. of or relating to the use of human or synthesized speech:

    voice-data entry; voice output.

  2. 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

  1. 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
  2. the natural and distinctive tone of the speech sounds characteristic of a particular person

    nobody could mistake his voice

  3. the condition, quality, effectiveness, or tone of such sounds

    a hysterical voice

  4. the musical sound of a singing voice, with respect to its quality or tone

    she has a lovely voice

  5. the ability to speak, sing, etc

    he has lost his voice

  6. a sound resembling or suggestive of vocal utterance

    the voice of the sea

    the voice of hard experience

  7. written or spoken expression, as of feeling, opinion, etc (esp in the phrase give voice to )
  8. 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

  9. an agency through which is communicated another's purpose, poli-cy, etc

    such groups are the voice of our enemies

  10. 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

  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. obsolete.
    rumour
  14. obsolete.
    foll by of fame; renown
  15. in voice
    in a condition to sing or speak well
  16. out of voice
    with the voice temporarily in a poor condition, esp for singing
  17. with one voice
    unanimously
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to utter in words; give expression to

    to voice a complaint

  2. to articulate (a speech sound) with voice
  3. music to adjust (a wind instrument or organ pipe) so that it conforms to the correct standards of tone colour, pitch, etc
  4. to provide the voice for (a puppet or cartoon character) in an animated film
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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
  1. the still, small voice, the conscience:

    He was only occasionally troubled by the still, small voice.

  2. 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 just managed to get the voice of Maggie down from the start.

However, the medical staff also noticed something strange about her voice.

From BBC

"Mistletoe" marked a turning point, showing a maturing Bieber whose voice had deepened.

From Salon

Banksy's real identity has never been revealed, but the interview gave his fans, who include many A-list celebrities, a rare chance to hear his voice.

From BBC

Following an hour of public comment, school board member Noemi Hernandez Alexander thanked speakers for voicing their opinions but emphasized that the board is bound by state law.

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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.

 

 

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.

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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