voice

1 /vOIs/ noun

1 SPEAKING (C, U) the sounds that you make when you speak: He recognized her voice instantly. | I could hear voices in the next room. | a loud/deep/soft/husky etc voice: a child with a squeaky voice | angry/excited/worried etc voice: the angry voices of disgruntled passengers | in a deep/angry etc voice: He spoke in a pleasantly deep voice. | a small voice (=a quiet and shy voice) | sb's tone of voice (=the quality of someone's voice which expresses their attitude): I could tell from his tone of voice that he was not impressed. | raise your voice (=speak more loudly, especially in an angry way): I know what you're saying - there's no need to raise your voice. | lower/drop your voice (=speak more quietly): She moved closer and lowered her voice so Alex wouldn't hear. | keep your voice down spoken (=used to tell someone to speak more quietly) | at the top of your voice (=shouting as loudly as you can): I could hear him screaming and yelling at the top of his voice. | sb's voice breaks (=when a boy's voice becomes deeper like a man's): He was 13 and his voice was already starting to break.

—see noise 1

2 deep-voiced/husky-voiced etc having a voice that is deep etc

3 ABILITY TO SPEAK (U) the ability to use your voice: You won't have any voice left if you keep shouting like that. | close your voice (=be unable to speak because you have a sore throat)

4 SINGING

a) (C, U) the quality of sound you produce when you sing: a young man with a fine singing voice | be in good voice (=be singing well)

b) (C) a person singing: a piece written for six voices and piano

5 OPINION

a) (singular, uncountable) the right or ability to express an opinion, to vote, or to influence decisions: have a voice (in): It is important that parents should have a voice in deciding how their children are educated. | give voice to (=express opinions or feelings openly): Only Hartman dared to give voice to their discontent.

b) (C) an opinion or wish that is expressed: The government should listen to the voice of the black community. | dissenting voices (=people expressing disagreement) | add/lend your voice etc (=express your support for something): Carter lent his powerful voice to the call for disarmament. | raise your voice against (=oppose something publicly): Not a voice was raised against the plan. | make your voice heard (=express your opinion so that people notice it)

6 speak with one voice if a group of people speak with one voice, they all express the same opinion

7 REPRESENTATIVE (singular) a person, organization, newspaper etc that expresses the opinions or wishes of a group of people: Martin Luther King had become the voice of the Civil Rights Movement.

8 the voice of reason/sanity/experience etc opinions or ideas that are reasonable, sensible, based on experience etc: “Marriage is a very risky business.” “Ah, there speaks the voice of experience!”

9 inner voice thoughts or feelings which you do not express but which seem to warn you or advise you: My inner voice told me to be cautious.

10 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

2 verb (T)

1 to tell people your opinions or feelings about a particular subject: voice opinions/doubts etc: He voiced several objections to the plan.

2 technical to produce a sound with a movement of the vocal cords as well as the breath