voice

VOYS/vɔɪs/

Pluralvoices

Verbvoices, voicing, voiced

18 meanings of voice

Practice

1
vocal soundnouncountable
The sound a person makes when speaking or singing, or the ability to make it.
Like a special sound that tells you who is talking, even with your eyes closed.
Her voice was soft and gentle when she sang the lullaby.
I knew it was him the moment I heard his voice on the phone.
UsageSay in a loud voice, raise your voice, lose your voice.
Note
2
being heardnounfigurativelycountable
The right to share your opinion and have it counted.
Like getting your turn to speak when a group decides something together.
Every citizen deserves a voice in how the country is run.
The students wanted a voice in choosing their new schedule.
UsageSay have a voice in a decision.
Similarsay, input, vote, opinion
Note
3
play a characterverbtransitive
To be the speaking voice of a cartoon or game character.
Like being the hidden talker who makes a cartoon character speak.
She voiced the clever rabbit in the new cartoon.
He hopes to voice a villain in an animated movie someday.
UsageSay a character is voiced by an actor.
Note
4
put into wordsverbtransitive
To say or write what you think or feel.
Like turning a thought in your head into words other people can hear.
Several workers voiced their concerns about safety.
She finally got the chance to voice her opinion at the meeting.
UsageSay voice your concerns or voice doubts.
Similarexpress, air, state, articulate, raise
Note
5
spokespersonnouncountable
A person who speaks, often for a group of others.
Like one person chosen to say out loud what the whole group is thinking.
She became the voice of the protest movement.
He was a strong voice for families who could not speak up themselves.
UsageSay a leading voice for something.
Similaradvocate, spokesperson, champion, mouthpiece
Note
6
writing stylenouncountable
The special style and tone a writer uses.
Like how you can tell who sent a text just from the way they write.
This author has a warm, funny voice that readers love.
Her clear, honest voice comes through in every chapter.
UsageWriters try to find their voice.
Similarstyle, tone
Note

Less common meanings

7
grammarnouncountable
In grammar, the form of a verb that shows whether the subject does an action or receives it.
Like choosing whether to say 'she broke the cup' or 'the cup was broken': same event, different focus.
When you write 'the ball was thrown,' the verb is in the passive voice.
Switching to the active voice makes your sentences clearer and shorter.
UsageSay passive voice (not ~~incorrect: passive tense~~).
Note
8
music partnouncountable
One separate part or line of music in a piece.
Like several singers each following their own line at the same time.
The choir sang in four separate voices.
The tune moves from the top voice down to the lowest voice.
Similarpart, line
Note
9
what something saysnouncountable
The message or meaning that something is telling you.
He finally listened to the voice of his conscience and told the truth.
Her silence had a voice of its own, and we all understood it.
Similarmessage, tone
10
throat vibrationnoununcountable
The sound your throat makes when the vocal cords vibrate, not just air or a whisper.
Like a buzzing sound from inside your throat, instead of just blowing air out.
You can feel your voice buzz if you put a hand on your throat.
A whisper has no voice in it, only air passing through.
Similarphonation
Note
11
use vocal cordsverbtransitive
To make a speech sound using the vocal cords, not just the breath.
Like humming instead of whispering: your throat buzzes when you do it.
Speakers voice the 'z' sound, but they make the 's' sound with breath alone.
When you voice the 'f' sound, it turns into a 'v'.
Note
12
sound of objectsnouncountable
The sound or tone that an object makes.
The deep voice of the church bells filled the valley.
You could hear the low voice of the wind through the trees.
Similarsound, tone
Note
13
adjust toneverbtransitive
To adjust an instrument or pipe so that it makes the right sounds.
Like tuning a guitar until every string sounds just right.
The builder spent days learning to voice each pipe of the organ.
It takes weeks to voice every pipe in a new church organ.
14
nounarchaic
An order or command telling someone what to do.
As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall yee perish; because ye would not be obedient vnto the voice of the Lord your God.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, voice means command, an order that must be obeyed.
Note
15
verbobsoleteintransitive
To shout loudly or cry out, often in protest.
How wou'd they voice it o're and o're for Tachmas / To come, and blunt the edge of War agen!
1682, Thomas Southern, The Loyal BrotherHere, voice means shout loudly together.
Note
16
verbobsoletetransitive
To choose someone for a job or position by voting.
17
noun
On a chat channel where only some people may post, a special mark that lets a user send messages.
18
verb
On a chat channel, to give a user the right to send messages.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of voice apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2, 5–10, 12, 14

It came through Old French and Anglo-Norman from Latin "vox", meaning "voice".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

Voice came through Old French and Anglo-Norman from Latin vox, meaning voice. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 3–4, 11, 13, 15–16

It comes from the noun "voice".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

The verb voice derives from the noun voice. en.wiktionary.org