voice-over
Americannoun
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the voice of an offscreen narrator, announcer, or the like.
-
a televised sequence, as in a commercial, using such a voice.
-
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
Melania delivers voice-over narration as she goes from event to event and discusses her philanthropic platform, Be Best.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026
And in the voice-over the narrator Will Patton says something like, “He never spoke on a telephone.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026
A voice-over kicks in atop footage of the girl doing perfectly normal human things, like, walking and eating.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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.
