subvocal

American  

[suhb-voh-kuhl] / sʌbˈvoʊ kəl /

adjective

1. mentally formulated as words, especially without vocalization.

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Etymology

Origin of subvocal

First recorded in 1920–25; sub- + vocal

Example Sentences

They’re actually hearing their own “subvocal speech”—the unconscious muttering that we all do, and that people with schizophrenia are unable to disregard.

From Slate

This result meant that when the schizophrenics were hearing voices in their heads, their vocal muscles were contracting—they were engaging in subvocal speech.

From Slate

But what if subvocal speech was just very quiet, and nobody but the patient could hear it?

From Slate

He thought to himself: If subvocal speech is a slight activation of the vocal muscles, leading to the production of extremely quiet sound, what if we were to make it louder?

From Slate

This phenomenon is called subvocal speech, and it happens all the time.

From Slate