voice
voys
Voice (noun) means the sound a person produces when speaking or singing. Example: “Her voice was so soft he had to lean in to hear her.”
noun
1
The sound a person produces when speaking or singing.
"Her voice was so soft he had to lean in to hear her."
"He recognized his brother's voice on the phone immediately."
"The teacher raised her voice so the whole class could hear."
2
The right or opportunity to express an opinion, or the opinion itself.
"Employees wanted more of a voice in company decisions."
"Every resident deserves a voice in local planning."
"Young people should have a voice in how the local park is used."
3
The distinctive tone or style in which a writer expresses themselves.
"The novel is praised for its sharp, funny narrative voice."
"You can hear the author's gentle, humorous voice on every page."
"Finding your own voice as a writer takes years of practice."
verb
1
To express something in words; to put an opinion or feeling into speech.
"Several council members voiced concerns about the budget."
"She voiced her frustration to her manager directly."
"He voiced his support for the plan at the village meeting."
How to use voice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe sound someone makes when speaking, or, more broadly, someone's right to express an opinion.
Common pairings
raise your voice
have a voice
voice an opinion
lower your voice
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Word forms
- Plural
- voices
- Third person singular
- voices
- Past tense
- voiced
Fill the gap
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Her _____ was so soft he had to lean in to hear her.
Etymology
From Old French voiz, from Latin vox ("voice"), from a very old root meaning "to speak" — the same root gives us "vocal" and "advocate."
Synonyms
View more →
vocals
vocal sound
tone
speaking voice
part
sound
representative
interpreter
spokesperson
vox
vocalism
vocalize
Antonyms
devoice
Related words
Rhymes for voice
See all rhymes for voice →Frequently asked questions
What does “voice” mean?
The word “voice” means the sound a person produces when speaking or singing. In plain terms, the sound someone makes when speaking, or, more broadly, someone's right to express an opinion.
How do you pronounce “voice”?
“Voice” is pronounced voys (/vɔɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “voice” in a sentence?
Here is “voice” used in a sentence: “Her voice was so soft he had to lean in to hear her.”
What part of speech is “voice”?
Depending on how it is used, “voice” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “voice” come from?
The word “voice” comes from Latin. From Old French voiz, from Latin vox ("voice"), from a very old root meaning "to speak" — the same root gives us "vocal" and "advocate.".
Is “voice” a common word?
“Voice” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “voice” have?
“Voice” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the sound a person produces when speaking or singing.
What is the difference between voice and speech?
Voice is the actual sound your vocal cords produce, the raw tone you hear when someone speaks, sings, or hums. Speech is the use of that voice to form words and language. You can have a voice without speech, such as humming, but speech normally relies on the voice to be heard aloud.
Can your voice be trained?
Yes. Singers, actors, and public speakers train their voices to improve pitch, projection, control, and stamina. Vocal coaches teach breathing, warm-ups, and technique to strengthen the voice and prevent strain. While the basic sound is shaped by your body, regular practice can noticeably widen your range and improve clarity and tone.
Why does my voice sound different in recordings?
When you speak, you hear your voice both through the air and through the bones of your skull, which add lower, richer tones. A recording captures only the sound travelling through the air, so it sounds higher and thinner to you. Everyone else always hears your recorded voice, which is your true sound.
What are the types of singing voice?
Singing voices are usually grouped by range. The main female types are soprano, mezzo-soprano, and contralto, from highest to lowest. The main male types are tenor, baritone, and bass. These categories describe the comfortable pitch range and tone of a singer's voice, helping composers assign suitable parts to each performer.
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