Definition and Pronunciation
Voice is the sound produced when air passes through the vocal cords in the larynx (voice box), allowing a person to speak, sing, laugh, or express emotions. A person’s voice is influenced by the vocal cords, hormones, age, health, and anatomy.
Pronunciation: VOYS
Easy Explanation
Your voice is the sound you make when you speak or sing. Everyone has a unique voice. During puberty, hormones can cause noticeable changes in the voice, especially in males, whose voices usually become deeper as the larynx grows.
Besides communication, voice can also reflect a person’s emotions, identity, and overall health.
Grammatical Formation
- Part of speech: Noun
- Plural form: Voices
- Related verb: Voice
- Related adjective: Vocal
- Related noun: Vocalization
- Related terms: Vocal cords, larynx, speech
Word Comparisons
Voice vs. Speech
Voice is the sound produced by the vocal cords. Speech is the use of voice and language to communicate.
Voice vs. Vocal cords
The vocal cords are the structures that produce the voice. The voice is the sound they create.
Voice vs. Larynx
The larynx (voice box) is the organ that contains the vocal cords. The voice is the result of the larynx functioning.
Voice vs. Accent
A voice is the sound of a person speaking, while an accent is a particular way of pronouncing words associated with a language or region.
Connotations
The word voice usually has positive or neutral meanings. It is associated with communication, self-expression, identity, confidence, and individuality.
Figuratively, voice may also refer to a person’s opinions, influence, or ability to express themselves.
Meaning with Prepositions
Voice of
Example: The voice of the singer was clear and expressive.
Voice in
Example: Everyone deserves a voice in important decisions.
Voice during
Example: His voice became deeper during puberty.
Voice for
Example: She became a voice for public health education.
Real-Life Examples
Teachers, singers, broadcasters, and actors rely on their voices every day. During adolescence, many teenagers notice their voices changing as part of normal puberty. Speech-language pathologists help people with voice disorders improve communication.
Synonyms
- Vocal sound
- Vocal expression
- Speech (context-dependent)
- Tone
- Vocalization
- Utterance (context-dependent)
Antonyms
There is no exact antonym for voice, but contrasting terms include:
- Silence
- Quiet
- Muteness
- Speechlessness
Related Terms
- Vocal cords
- Larynx
- Speech
- Vocalization
- Tone
- Pitch
- Resonance
- Puberty
- Testosterone
- Estrogen
- Communication
- Singing
- Voice box
- Voice disorder
- Self-expression
Common Collocations
- Deep voice
- Soft voice
- Loud voice
- Gentle voice
- Voice change
- Voice training
- Voice box
- Voice quality
- Voice disorder
- Voice therapy
- Speaking voice
- Singing voice
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
The word voice is commonly used figuratively.
Examples:
- Find your voice – to become confident in expressing your thoughts or identity.
- Raise your voice – to speak louder or express an opinion strongly.
- Have a voice – to have the opportunity to express opinions or participate in decisions.
- Voice of reason – someone who offers calm and sensible advice.
Sample Sentences
- Her voice became deeper during puberty.
- The doctor examined his voice after persistent hoarseness.
- Everyone has a unique voice.
- Voice training can improve speaking and singing.
- Hormonal changes may affect the voice.
- The child recognized his mother’s voice immediately.
- She found her voice as a public speaker.
- Good vocal habits help protect the voice.
Connection to Sexuality
Voice is closely connected to sexuality because sex hormones influence the development of the vocal cords and larynx during puberty. Testosterone typically causes the voice to deepen by enlarging the larynx and thickening the vocal cords, while estrogen has different effects on vocal development.
Voice may also play a role in communication, attraction, gender expression, and self-identity. Some transgender and non-binary individuals choose voice training or voice therapy to help their voice better reflect their gender identity.
Understanding how the voice develops helps people learn about puberty, hormones, communication, and the relationship between physical development and sexual health.
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