voiceless

American  

[vois-lis] / ˈvɔɪs lɪs /

adjective

1. having no voice; mute.

2. uttering no words; silent.

3. having an unmusical voice.

4. unspoken; unuttered.

   voiceless sympathy.

5. having no vote or right of choice.

6. Phonetics. (of a speech sound)

   1. without voice; unvoiced; surd; aphonic (voiced ).

      “p,” “f,” and “s” are voiceless.

   2. uttered without phonation.

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voiceless British  

/ ˈvɔɪslɪs /

adjective

1. without a voice; mute

2. not articulated

   voiceless misery

3. lacking a musical voice

4. silent

5. without the power or right to express an opinion

6. phonetics articulated without accompanying vibration of the vocal cords

   in English (p) is a voiceless consonant

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Other Word Forms

• voicelessly adverb
• voicelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of voiceless

First recorded in 1525–35; voice + -less

Example Sentences

Through Spear’s resurrection, “Primal” is quietly delivering a zombie drama that’s strangely life-affirming, led by a tenderhearted brute who is sensitive to the other voiceless, helpless beings around him.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

SNP ministers say the law gives a voice to the voiceless, handing communities a greater say over their futures.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

He smiled broadly and proceeded to give a voiceless answer.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2025

She described the situation as a "community crisis", with properties devalued, while the residents felt "betrayed, abandoned and voiceless".

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2024

But he bellowed slowly, abjectly, without tears; the grave hopeless sound of all voiceless misery under the sun.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner