Definition & Meaning of "voice"

Voice

NOUN

the sounds that a person makes when speaking or singing

Example

Her voice was soft and soothing, perfect for reading bedtime stories.

He used his powerful voice to rally the crowd during the protest.

1.1

the unique and recognizable way someone sounds when they sing or speak, including aspects like tone, pitch, etc.

Example

He tried to mimic the singer's voice, hitting the high notes with effort.

Her voice is melodic and soothing, perfect for the lullabies she sings.

1.2

a sound suggestive of a vocal utterance

1.3

(metonymy) a singer

an advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose

the right to give an opinion on something

Example

In a democracy, freedom of speech ensures that every citizen has a voice in expressing their opinions and beliefs.

The town hall meeting provided residents with a platform to have their voices heard on local issues affecting their community.

a means or agency by which something is expressed or communicated

something suggestive of speech in being a medium of expression

the ability to speak

(grammar) the form of a verb that indicates whether the subject does something or something is done to it

What is "voice"?

Voice is a grammatical feature that indicates the relationship between the action of the verb and the participants in a sentence. In English, there are two primary voices: active and passive. In the active voice, the subject performs the action of the verb, as in the sentence "The cat chased the mouse," where "the cat" is the doer of the action. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action, as in "The mouse was chased by the cat," where "the mouse" is acted upon. Voice is essential for emphasizing different aspects of a sentence, allowing speakers to highlight either the doer of the action or the receiver, thus shaping the focus and clarity of the information presented.

Example

Active voice, on the other hand, is used when the subject of a sentence performs the action expressed by the verb.

In English grammar, the passive voice is used when the subject of a sentence is acted upon by the verb, rather than performing the action itself.

the melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music

a specific opinion on something

Example

His voice on the matter was clear — he believed that education reform should be a top priority for the government.

The survey results provided a snapshot of public voices on the issue of climate change, with a majority expressing concern about its impact.

the way in which a character's personality, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions are expressed through their speech and thoughts

What is "voice"?

Voice refers to the distinctive way a character expresses their personality, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions through their speech and thoughts. It captures how a character communicates and reveals their individual traits and feelings, shaping their interactions and the overall tone of their dialogue. Voice helps to bring a character to life by providing a unique and consistent manner of expression that reflects their inner world and influences how they are perceived by others.

to voice

VERB

to express something verbally and openly, especially a feeling, opinion, etc.