What does ventriloquy mean?
Ventriloquy is the art or practice of making speech appear to come from somewhere other than the speaker. It is most famously associated with entertainers who give voice to a dummy, although performers may also use other objects or theatrical techniques. The word can refer to a performer’s skill, a specific routine, or the wider tradition of vocal illusion. In contemporary use, ventriloquy often carries associations with comedy, entertainment, and childhood stage shows, but it can also be discussed neutrally when studying theatre, performance history, or the mechanics of vocal production. Its unusual history makes it especially memorable: the term derives from Latin elements meaning “belly” and “to speak,” reflecting an older description of the practice as speech from the abdomen. Today, the word remains useful for identifying the specific technique of creating the convincing illusion that a voice is coming from somewhere else.
nounThe art or practice of producing vocal sounds without moving the lips, so that the voice appears to come from another source, especially a ventriloquist speaking through a dummy.
- The art or practice of speaking without moving the lips so that the voice seems to come from somewhere else, especially a person or object.
"The ventriloquist's performance brought the audience to its feet with its clever ventriloquy and exaggerated comic characters."
"His training in ventriloquy allowed him to make the wooden figure sound like a mischievous child."
"The documentary explored how ventriloquy has been used in comedy, theatre, and film."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; the singular form is normally preferred.
"The programme explored several different ventriloquies, each performed by a different artist."
The word literally means “speaking from the belly,” although the illusion comes from the speaker’s throat, mouth, and careful control of sound.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ventriloquy come from?
Ventriloquy comes from Latin ventriloquium, formed from venter, meaning “belly,” and loqui, meaning “to speak.” The term literally refers to speaking from the belly, an older description of the vocal technique. Related English words such as ventral and ventricle share the belly-related root, while eloquent, colloquy, and soliloquy share the speaking root.
Related word forms
How ventriloquy is actually used
The word is usually neutral or mildly formal and is commonly associated with comedy and entertainment. It can also describe the broader phenomenon of producing a voice from an unexpected source.
Easily confused with ventriloquy
Ventriloquy names the art or practice, while ventriloquism is a closely related term for the performance or the act of speaking in this way.