voltage
5 synonyms for voltage, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The difference in electrical potential between two points, which drives current through a circuit.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
emf
potential difference
electric potential
How to use voltage
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
high voltage
low voltage
voltage drop
Etymology
From volt + the noun-forming suffix -age, ultimately honoring Alessandro Volta, inventor of the battery.
Full origin of voltage →Frequently asked questions
What does “voltage” mean?
The word “voltage” means the difference in electrical potential between two points, which drives current through a circuit. In plain terms, the electrical "pressure" that pushes current through a wire or device.
How do you pronounce “voltage”?
“Voltage” is pronounced VOHL-tihj (/ˈvoʊltɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “voltage” in a sentence?
Here is “voltage” used in a sentence: “Check the voltage before plugging in a foreign appliance.”
What part of speech is “voltage”?
“Voltage” is a noun.
Is “voltage” a common word?
“Voltage” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between voltage and current?
Voltage is the difference in electrical potential between two points; it is the push that drives current through a circuit. Current is the resulting flow of electric charge, measured in amperes. A common analogy is water in a pipe: voltage is the pressure, current is the flow.
What is the difference between voltage and volts?
Voltage is the quantity, the difference in electrical potential between two points, while the volt is the unit used to measure it. Saying "the voltage is 12 volts" works like saying "the distance is 12 metres": voltage parallels distance, and volts parallel metres.
Is voltage measured in volts or watts?
Voltage is measured in volts. Watts measure power, the rate at which electrical energy is transferred, which depends on voltage and current multiplied together. Amperes, meanwhile, measure current rather than voltage.
Can there be voltage without current?
Yes. A battery sitting unconnected has a voltage across its terminals even though no current flows. Voltage is a difference in electrical potential between two points; current only flows when a complete circuit gives the charge a path.
