outside voice

American  

[out-sahyd vois] / ˈaʊtˌsaɪd ˌvɔɪs /

noun

1. a strong, elevated voice, considered appropriate when speaking outdoors in order to be heard above a crowd or other background sounds or noises (opposed to inside voice).

   She had to use her outside voice to be heard over the applauding concertgoers.

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Etymology

Origin of outside voice

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outside voice

“That’s when a professional, outside voice coming in can help. Family relationships are not always easy.”

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 23, 2025

His own producers agreed to fund a movie that feels very much his own, which is wonderful even given a few fumbles that could have used an outside voice piping up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2024

That line comes during “United in Grief,” an album starter that Lamar front-loads with rhetorical riddles before snapping into his outside voice.

From Washington Post ● May 16, 2022

“Derek’s not far away in Rockford, but still an outside perspective, and outside voice at the top of that pyramid.”

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 7, 2021

Slowly the din of the outside voice softened and receded.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov