What does ventriloquize mean?
Ventriloquize means to speak through a puppet, dummy, or other object in a way that makes the speech seem to come from it. A performer who ventriloquizes may use a disguised or modulated voice and suppress the normal movement of the lips, creating the impression that the puppet is alive and speaking. The word can also mean simply to practice the art of ventriloquism. Although the activity is strongly associated with comedy, stage performance, and childhood entertainment, the verb is relatively uncommon in everyday conversation and can sound literary, technical, or deliberately playful. It is useful when precision matters because it names both the physical technique and the performance of making an inanimate object appear to talk. The related noun ventriloquism denotes the art as a whole, while ventriloquist denotes the performer who practices it.
verbTo speak as though a puppet or dummy were speaking, especially by using a voice that makes it seem to come from the puppet. It can also mean to practice the art of ventriloquism.
- To speak through a puppet or dummy, making it appear that the puppet is speaking.
- To practice the art of ventriloquism.
"The ventriloquist could ventriloquize the duck without appearing to move his lips."
"The comedian learned to ventriloquize so convincingly that the audience forgot where the real voice came from."
"In the rehearsal, she practiced ventriloquizing the tiger puppet."
A ventriloquist does not give the puppet a voice so much as disguise where the voice is coming from.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ventriloquize come from?
The verb is an English formation from ventriloquism, adding the verbal suffix -ize to the name of the practice. Ventriloquism comes through French ventriloque from Latin ventriloquus, meaning "belly-speaker," a formation based on venter, "belly," and loqui, "to speak." The modern sense reflects the technique of producing speech from the throat while directing the apparent source toward a puppet rather than the speaker's own mouth.
Related word forms
How ventriloquize is actually used
More literary or technical than the everyday phrase "do ventriloquism." It is often used with a puppet or dummy, although it can also stand alone. British English also commonly uses the spelling "ventriloquise."
Easily confused with ventriloquize
Ventriloquize is the verb describing the act of speaking through a puppet or practicing that art, while ventriloquism is the noun naming the art or practice itself.