vocalize

American  

[voh-kuh-lahyz] / ˈvoʊ kəˌlaɪz /

especially British, vocalise

verb (used with object)

vocalized, vocalizing

1. to make vocal; utter; articulate; sing.

2. to endow with a voice; cause to utter.

3. Phonetics.

   1. to voice.

   2. to change into a vowel (consonantalize ).

4. (of Hebrew, Arabic, and other writing systems that do not usually indicate vowels) to furnish with vowels or vowel points.

---

verb (used without object)

vocalized, vocalizing

1. to use the voice, as in speech or song.

2. to sing without uttering words, especially to warm up the voice, practice vowel sounds, etc., before a performance.

3. to sing scales, arpeggios, trills, or the like, usually to a solmization syllable or a vowel sound.

4. Phonetics. to become changed into a vowel.

vocalize British  

/ ˈvəʊkəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to express with or use the voice; articulate (a speech, song, etc)

2. (tr) to make vocal or articulate

3. (tr) phonetics

   1. to articulate (a speech sound) with voice

   2. to change (a consonant) into a vowel

4. another word for vowelize

5. (intr) to sing a melody on a vowel, etc

---

Other Word Forms

• misvocalization noun
• nonvocalization noun
• subvocalize verb
• unvocalized adjective
• vocalization noun
• vocalizer noun

Etymology

Origin of vocalize

First recorded in 1660–70; vocal + -ize

Example Sentences

While he was in graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, Khawaja was moved by an essay that argued that fish suffer inhumane deaths because they cannot vocalize pain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 29, 2025

“So, I went up on my medicine and I see my therapist. I try to see her every Wednesday, and I try to vocalize a lot when I’m feeling overwhelmed.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024

The ability to vocalize opposition to unjust laws is an indispensable pillar of democracy that should not be taken for granted.

From Slate • Jun. 27, 2023

The anatomy described in the research varies across animals whether they can vocalize or not.

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2023

He made an effort not to vocalize his thoughts.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison