I. voice 1 S2 W1 /vɔɪs/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: vois , from Latin vox ]
1 . SPEAKING [uncountable and countable] the sounds that you make when you speak, or the ability to make these sounds:
He recognized her voice instantly.
I could hear angry voices.
2 . SINGING
a) [uncountable and countable] the quality of sound you produce when you sing:
Sophie’s got a lovely singing voice
b) [countable] a person singing:
a piece written for six voices and piano
3 . OPINION
a) [singular, uncountable] the right or ability to express an opinion, to vote, or to influence decisions:
Parents should have a voice in deciding how their children are educated.
b) [countable] an opinion or wish that is expressed:
The government needs to listen to the voice of middle-class Americans.
a fair, democratic society, in which individuals are able to make their voice heard (=express their opinion so that people notice it)
Since the new program was introduced, there have been some dissenting voices (=people expressing disagreement) .
Senator Prior spoke out, adding her voice to the call for new laws to protect the environment.
4 . speak with one voice if a group of people speak with one voice, they all express the same opinion
5 . REPRESENTATIVE [singular] a person, organization, newspaper etc that expresses the opinions or wishes of a group of people
voice of
The senator is the voice of the religious right.
6 . the voice of reason/experience etc opinions or ideas that are reasonable, based on experience etc, or someone who has these ideas:
Ben, as ever, has been the voice of reason throughout the whole crisis.
7 . FEELINGS give voice to something to express your feelings or thoughts:
Participants are encouraged to give voice to their personal hopes, fears and dreams.
8 . inner voice thoughts or feelings that you do not express but seem to warn, criticize, or advise you:
My inner voice told me to be cautious.
9 . GRAMMAR active/passive voice technical the form of a verb that shows whether the subject of a sentence does an action or has an action done to it
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COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ loud
Her voice was loud and clear.
▪ quiet/low/soft (=not loud)
When he spoke, his voice was soft and gentle.
▪ a deep/low voice (=near the bottom of the range of sounds)
She heard the deep voice of her father downstairs.
▪ a high voice (=near the top of the range of sounds)
They used to repeat her words in silly high voices.
▪ a clear voice
Natalia’s clear voice rang out.
▪ a small voice (=quiet and not strong or confident)
She answered in a small voice, ‘I think I was afraid.’
▪ a trembling/shaking voice (=a voice that shakes because someone is very nervous or frightened)
He stood up and began to speak in a trembling voice.
▪ a squeaky voice (=very high and not strong)
The mouse talks in a little squeaky voice.
▪ a husky voice (=low and slightly rough but in an attractive way)
She spoke in a husky voice, as though her throat was sore.
▪ a gravelly voice (=very deep and slightly rough)
He sang to her in his famous gravelly voice.
▪ a sing-song voice (=a voice that goes high and low in a pleasant musical way)
She began to recite the poem in a sing-song voice.
■ verbs
▪ raise your voice (=speak more loudly)
She did not raise her voice, or express any anger.
▪ lower your voice (=speak more quietly)
He lowered his voice to a whisper.
▪ keep your voice down (=not speak loudly)
Keep your voice down, they’ll hear you!
▪ lose your voice (=lose the ability to speak, for example when you have a cold)
I'll have to whisper because I've lost my voice.
▪ sb’s voice rises (=becomes louder or higher)
Her voice rose in panic.
▪ sb’s voice drops (=becomes lower)
Lockhart’s voice dropped so that it could only just be heard.
▪ sb’s voice breaks/cracks (=becomes higher or unsteady because they are upset)
Her voice broke and she was unable to continue.
▪ a boy’s voice breaks (=becomes deep as he becomes a man)
His voice had only recently broken.
▪ sb’s voice trembles/shakes (=sounds unsteady)
His voice shook with anger.
▪ sb’s voice trails off/away (=becomes quieter until you cannot hear it)
‘It's just that … ’, his voice trailed away uncertainly.
■ phrases
▪ in a loud/soft/deep etc voice
‘Where is she?’, Kate demanded in a shrill voice.
▪ sb’s tone of voice
His tone of voice was aggressive.
▪ at the top of your voice (=in a very loud voice)
She shouted ‘Help!’ at the top of her voice.
II. voice 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to tell people your opinions or feelings about a particular subject:
The senator voiced concern at how minorities and immigrants are treated in California.
She angrily voiced her objections.
2 . technical to produce a sound with a movement of the ↑ vocal cords as well as the breath
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to say something
▪ say to tell someone something, using words:
‘I really ought to go,’ she said.
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Lauren said she’d probably be late.
▪ state to say something, especially in a definite or formal way – used in official contexts:
The witness stated that he had never seen the woman before.
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Please state your name and address.
▪ announce to publicly tell people about something:
The chairman announced his resignation.
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The results will be announced tomorrow.
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We will announce the winners next Sunday.
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They were announcing the train times over the loudspeaker system.
▪ declare to say something very firmly:
‘My personal life is none of your business,’ she declared.
▪ mention to talk about someone or something, especially without giving many details:
Did Tom mention anything about what happened at school?
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Your name was mentioned!
▪ express to let someone know your feelings by putting them into words:
Young children often find it difficult to express their emotions.
▪ comment to say what your opinion is about someone or something:
The prime minister was asked to comment on the crisis.
▪ note/remark formal to say that you have noticed that something is true – used especially in formal writing:
We have already noted that most old people live alone.
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Someone once remarked that the problem with computers is that they only give you answers.
▪ add to say something more, after what has already been said:
He added that he thought it could be done fairly cheaply.
▪ point out to mention something that seems particularly important or relevant:
Dr Graham points out that most children show some signs of abnormal behaviour.
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It’s worth pointing out that few people actually die of this disease.
▪ air to talk about your opinions, worries, or the things you disagree about: air your views/grievances/differences :
The programme will give listeners the chance to air their views about immigration.
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Workers were able to air their grievances.
▪ voice to talk publicly about your feelings or about whether you approve or disapprove of something formal : voice concern/support/doubt/fears etc :
The president has already voiced his support for the proposal.
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She voiced concern for the safety of the hostages.