Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

voice

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun British English pronunciation: voice /vɔɪs/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularvoice
pluralvoices
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] the sounds that someone makes when they speak

    A female voice answered the phone.

    We could hear voices in the next apartment.

    He tried to keep the irritation out of his voice.

    a man with a deep/soft/loud voice

    in a ... voice:

    The woman at the desk greeted him in a bored voice.

    tone of voice (=the aspect of your voice that shows how you feel):

    I knew from his tone of voice that he was extremely annoyed.

    in someone's voice (=when someone's attitude or feelings are shown in the way that they speak):

    Phillips called back later, and this time there was real irritation in his voice.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of voice
    1. a.
      [uncountable] someone's ability to speak
      lose your voice:

      I have a cold – I think I'm losing my voice.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of voice
    2. b.
      [countable/uncountable] someone's ability to sing

      My father had a fine bass voice.

      be in good/fine voice (=be singing well):

      You're in good voice tonight!

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of voice
    3. c.
      [countable] music one of the singers in a piece of classical music

      an arrangement for piano and four voices

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of voice
  2. 2
    [singular] the right or opportunity to express your opinions and influence what happens

    The apartheid system left the majority of the population without a political voice.

    have a voice (in something):

    Parents should have a voice in any changes to the school curriculum.

    give voice to something (=express something publicly):

    Her article gave voice to the anger felt by many local people.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of voice
    1. a.
      [countable] the opinion of a person or group
      voice of:

      The voice of ordinary party members was rarely listened to.

      make your voice heard (=make sure that your opinion is known to others):

      Anti-capitalist groups used street protests as a way of making their voices heard.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of voice
  3. 3
    [singular] a person, newspaper, organization etc that expresses a particular idea or that represents the opinions of a particular group

    The paper sees itself as the authentic voice of Middle England.

    voice of reason/authority/experience etc:

    The senator has long been a voice of reason on this issue.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of voice

phrases

This is the British English definition of voice. View American English definition of voice.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for voice.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

dark matter

a substance that scientists think exists out in space, but for which they have no direct proof

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog