ventriloquial

Also ven·tril·o·qual

[ven-truh-loh-kwee-uhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or using ventriloquism.

Other Word Forms

• ventriloquially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventriloquial¹

1830–40; ventriloqu(y) ( def. ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

This museum houses the largest collection of ventriloquial figures and memorabilia in the world.

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In her drawn and written introduction to “The Best American Comics 2008,” Ms. Barry copies other cartoonists’ styles, demonstrating the ventriloquial skills that helped her learn her craft.

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In other words, think pieces, reportage, travelogues, lectures and memoirs are in some sense strained, inauthentic, ventriloquial.

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Further research led us to Beverly Messegee, an entertainer whose act includes ventriloquial yodelling with Erich, her inanimate sidekick.

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Oleaster, Grand Inquisitor of Portugal, in a work published at Lisbon in 1656, mentions a woman of the name of Cecilia who was brought before the court, and expressed herself in a ventriloquial voice, which she said was that of one Peter John, who had been dead for many years; but Peter John pleaded in vain for his hostess, for, despite his abdominal eloquence, she was sentenced to be transported.

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