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, voic·ing.

1. to give utterance or expression to; declare; proclaim:

   to voice one's discontent.

   Synonyms: publish, divulge, disclose, reveal

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. 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
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 hard experience

   the voice of the sea

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, policy, 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. 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
13. obsolete.
    rumour
14. obsolete.
    foll by of fame; renown
15. in voice
    in voice in a condition to sing or speak well
16. out of voice
    out of voice with the voice temporarily in a poor condition, esp for singing
17. with one voice
    with one voice unanimously

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

Derived Forms

• ˈvoicer, noun

Other Words From

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

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of voice¹

C13: from Old French voiz, from Latin vōx

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 .

Example Sentences

“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

• announce
• articulate
• assert
• declare
• deliver
• emphasize
• present
• proclaim
• say
• speak
• tell
• utter
• vent