unvoiced

American  

[uhn-voist] / ʌnˈvɔɪst /

adjective

1. not voiced; not uttered.

   unvoiced complaints.

2. Phonetics. voiceless; without voice; surd.

   unvoiced consonants.

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unvoiced British  

/ ʌnˈvɔɪst /

adjective

1. not expressed or spoken

2. articulated without vibration of the vocal cords; voiceless

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Etymology

Origin of unvoiced

First recorded in 1855–60; un- ¹ + voiced

Explanation

Anything that's never spoken out loud is unvoiced. You may go along with your friend's plan to ride an enormous, frightening roller coaster, smiling despite your unvoiced terror. This adjective can simply mean "silent," or "not said," like at a disappointing city council meeting where the concerns of a large group of citizens remain unvoiced. It can also mean that something is implied and understood, despite never being spoken aloud. Though a reporter's questions sound respectful, her unvoiced criticism might offend the politician she's interviewing. In speech, unvoiced means "with no vocal cord vibration."

Example Sentences

For the former "John Wick" and "Fall Guy" fight coordinator, putting grown-up Short Round through his paces was an unvoiced desire that was finally realized.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2025

You learn this, and how to love, by being loved even with your growing ledger of broken hearts, rushes to judgment, reckless decisions, unvoiced apologies and selfish deeds.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 23, 2023

Though any feelings she might have had about this project are unvoiced here, their adult daughter Zara was actively hostile, according to Boynton, and dissuaded close family members from cooperating.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2022

The event also reaffirms Antonio’s unvoiced yearning to reevaluate his uprooting — a need depicted throughout the film with magical realist underwater sequences that invoke an otherworldly atmosphere.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2021

When the military man left for a year, the whole family relaxed in a collective, yet unvoiced sigh.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy