What does voiced mean?
Voiced is most commonly used as a phonetic adjective to describe a speech sound produced while the vocal folds vibrate. English consonants such as /b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /z/, and the voiced forms of /w/ and /j/ are voiced, whereas voiceless consonants are produced without vocal-fold vibration. The distinction is important in phonetics, speech teaching, and language learning because it affects how sounds are produced and perceived. In everyday English, voiced also functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb voice, as in “the committee voiced concerns.” The word can additionally mean having a voice, although this sense is less frequent and more literary than the phonetic and verbal uses. Overall, voiced links the physical production of speech with the act of expressing an opinion or making something heard.
In phonetics, produced with vibration of the vocal folds; also, having or possessing a voice.
"The /g/ in “go” is a voiced sound."
The phonetic sense is technical and is normally used with sounds, consonants, vowels, or speech.
Past tense and past participle of voice, meaning to express or communicate an opinion, concern, or demand.
"Members voiced strong objections to the proposal."
This form is standard in formal and informal English and often appears in reporting and public discourse.
A whispered voice may be audible, but many whispered speech sounds are voiceless: the voice is present without vocal-fold vibration.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of voiced
The English word voiced derives from voice, adding the participial ending -ed. Voice comes through Old French vois from Latin vocem, the accusative form of vox, meaning “voice” or “speech.” The same Latin root appears in related English words such as vocal, vociferous, advocate, and vocabulary.
How voiced is actually used
In phonetics, voiced is primarily technical and contrasts with voiceless. As a past-tense or past-participle form of voice, it is neutral and commonly used in reporting, public discussion, and formal statements.
Easily confused with voiced
Voice is the sound or quality of speaking, while voiced is an adjective describing a sound made with vibrating vocal folds or a past-tense form of the verb voice.
Voiced sounds are produced with vibrating vocal folds, whereas voiceless sounds are produced without that vibration.