voice

The sound that comes from your throat and your mouth when you speak is your voice. The part of your body that produces the sound is your voice box, also known as the larynx.

• Adele has a very lovely singing voice.
• James has a deep voice.
• Most children speak in a high voice, and then it changes as they get older.
• What’s wrong with your voice? Are you sick?
• She lost her voice. She has laryngitis.
• Please, lower your voices! You’re too loud.
• He’s got a great radio voice.

He’s a radio announcer.

You can also use the word "voice" as a verb when a person gives her or his opinions on a subject:

• A woman in the audience stood up and voiced her concerns about the new health care law.
• Ronald voiced his opinion in a newspaper editorial.

In politics, the people have "a voice." That’s their opportunity to say what they believe and vote for leaders whom they trust to represent their interests.

• Elected officials in the United States listen to the voices of their constituents (the people that the represent).
• Political leaders throughout the Arab countries and in the middle east are learning how important it is to listen to the voices of the people.
• People in countries that practice democracy have a voice in the democratic process. Their voices are heard whenever there’s an election.

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This page was first published on July 1, 2012. It was updated on March 22, 2015.