voice-over

[vois-oh-ver]

noun

Movies, Television.

1. the voice of an offscreen narrator, announcer, or the like.

2. a televised sequence, as in a commercial, using such a voice.

3. any offscreen voice, as that of a character in a narrative.

voice-over

noun

1. the voice of an unseen commentator heard during a film, television programme, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of voice-over¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Featuring a voice-over from Peterlee-born actress Gina McKee, the musical accompaniment was a church-like choral arrangement in a nod to supporters' viewing the sport as akin to a religion.

From BBC

Onscreen, she has the charismatic presence of a movie adventurer, like a chill Lara Croft, while her measured voice-over narration sounds something like Cate Blanchett setting the scene at the beginning of a “Lord of the Rings” movie.

From Los Angeles Times

A case can be made that Einbinder’s showbiz education began at a young age, with a mom — Laraine Newman, an original “Saturday Night Live” cast member — who liked listening to comedy while driving and who brought along her pale-skinned, redheaded little daughter to voice-over auditions.

From Los Angeles Times

Holden, in a voice-over, gets closer to what “Sunset Boulevard” reveals better than most movies: fear.

From Los Angeles Times

Actor Kelley Mack, who played Addy in Season 9 of “The Walking Dead” in addition to doing national commercials and voice-over work, has died at age 33, her family said on social media.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comment 
• criticism 
• critique 
• description 
• explanation 
• narration 
• observation 
• remark 
• review 
• treatise