voice-over
Americannoun
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the voice of an offscreen narrator, announcer, or the like.
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a televised sequence, as in a commercial, using such a voice.
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any offscreen voice, as that of a character in a narrative.
noun
Etymology
Origin of voice-over
First recorded in 1945–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the early years of television, voice-over introductions to shows and their casts were a necessity of the medium.
From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026
The statement, delivered by a voice-over announcer on state television, did little to dispel rumors about the leader’s physical health.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026
Faison: When we did the table read, I laughed so hard when the first voice-over kicked in, when Zach read the voice-over.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026
She went on to do background and voice-over work in Los Angeles way into her 70s.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026
She watched an elderly woman stumble, fall, fumble for the transmitter around her neck, and Barbra Pierce’s voice-over echoed in her mind.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
