What does devoiced mean?
Devoiced is a technical word for a sound made without vibration of the vocal cords. In phonetics and phonology, it is used for consonants such as the /p/, /t/, and /k/ of English, in contrast to voiced sounds such as /b/, /d/, and /g/. Although such sounds are often called voiceless, the adjective devoiced is especially useful when describing the result of removing vocal-cord vibration from an originally voiced sound, as can occur in speech processing or phonation studies. The related verb devoice similarly means to remove that vibration, and devoiced can function as its past tense and participial form. The word belongs primarily to specialist language rather than ordinary conversation, but it makes an important acoustic distinction explicit: producing a consonant requires an airstream and, for many consonants, a clear oral obstruction, but does not necessarily require a buzzing vocal tract.
Produced without vibration of the vocal cords; also, having had vocal-cord vibration removed or suppressed.
"The word "cat" ends with a devoiced /t/."
Common in phonetics and phonology as a technical alternative to the broader adjective voiceless.
To remove or suppress vocal-cord vibration from a speech sound.
"The software devoiced the consonant to create a synthetic speech sample."
A technical transitive verb used in phonetics, phonology, and speech processing.
A devoiced /t/ still stops the air completely—the vocal cords simply stop buzzing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does devoiced come from?
The English verb devoice was formed from the prefix de-, meaning removal or reversal, and the noun voice; it has been used since the 19th century. Devoiced is its regular past-tense and participial form. English voice comes through Anglo-French vois from Latin vocem, the accusative of vox, meaning "voice," and related forms such as voiced and voiceless continue the same root.
Related word forms
How devoiced is actually used
Chiefly a technical term in phonetics, phonology, and speech processing. As an adjective, it commonly describes a sound or consonant; as a verb, it refers to removing or suppressing vocal-cord vibration.
Easily confused with devoiced
A devoiced sound is produced without vocal-cord vibration, whereas a voiced sound is produced with such vibration.