voice

The sound you make when you speak or sing.

• Her voice is very quiet.
• I heard a familiar voice behind me.
• His voice became deeper as he grew older.

Common phrases: deep voice, soft voice, raise your voice, human voice

The chance or power to express opinions and affect decisions.

• Workers need a voice in these decisions.
• The new council gave local people a stronger voice.
• Every member should have an equal voice.

How to use it: a voice in something (Parents want a voice in how the school is run.)

Similar words: say, influence

Common phrases: have a voice, voice in something, give someone voice

Your ability to speak or sing.

• I lost my voice yesterday.
• Resting helped her recover her voice.
• Singers train their voices through regular exercises.

Common phrases: lose your voice, rest your voice, train your voice

The particular way a writer expresses ideas and feelings.

• The writer has a warm voice.
• Her second novel shows a more confident voice.
• Each narrator has a distinct voice in the story.

Similar words: style, tone

Common phrases: narrative voice, distinctive voice, find your voice

A verb form that shows whether the subject does an action or receives it.

• This sentence uses the passive voice.
• Rewrite these sentences in the active voice.
• The verb changes voice, but its meaning stays similar.

Similar words: diathesis, gender

Common phrases: active voice, passive voice, in passive voice

To say what you think or feel about something.

• Please voice your concerns now.
• Several parents voiced objections to the plan.
• She has never voiced doubts about his ability.

Similar words: express, state

Common phrases: voice concerns, voice an opinion, voice support, voice feelings

To adjust a musical instrument so that it produces the desired sound.

• The technician will voice the piano.
• She voiced the organ pipes for the new hall.
• These reeds need to be voiced carefully.

Common phrases: voice organ pipes, voice a piano, voice the reeds