ventriloquist

[ven-tril-uh-kwist]

noun

1. a person who performs or is skilled in ventriloquism.

Other Word Forms

• ventriloquistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventriloquist¹

1650–60; ventriloqu(y) ( def. ) + -ist

Example Sentences

Being a magician in a movie is a bit like being a ventriloquist on the radio: What’s the point?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Born in Philadelphia in 1840, Donaldson was a gymnast, ventriloquist, a tightrope performer and – like the Wonderful Wizard himself – a magician.

Read more on Salon

He displaced singing impressionist and ventriloquist Terry Fator, who was 42 when he won Season 2 of the competition in 2007.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So when their sons initially insisted on trying to become actors, both Rick and his wife, Jeanine — who was an amateur ventriloquist — reacted positively.

Read more on Seattle Times

Over the past four years it is alleged that she manipulated the mayor in person and by phone with remarkable ventriloquist skills.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• artist 
• character 
• clown 
• comedian 
• entertainer 
• performer www.thesaurus.com
• player 
• star 
• villain