What does voiceless mean?
Voiceless describes something that has no audible voice, whether literally or figuratively. A person who is voiceless may be unable to speak, may lack the freedom or status to express an opinion, or may simply remain unheard in a particular situation. The word therefore often carries connotations of exclusion, powerlessness, and denied influence. In linguistics and phonetics, however, it has a narrower technical meaning: a voiceless sound is one produced without vibration of the vocal folds. Consonants such as /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, and /s/ are voiceless, whereas their voiced counterparts, such as /b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, and /z/, involve vocal-fold vibration. This technical use does not mean that the sound is inaudible. The distinction is useful in speech analysis, language teaching, and the description of pronunciation, while the figurative sense makes voiceless a powerful word for discussing people whose perspectives are ignored or deliberately silenced.
Having no voice or vocal sound; unable to speak or be heard, or figuratively unable to express one's views or influence. In phonetics, produced without vibration of the vocal folds.
"Several voiceless witnesses watched the proceedings from the gallery."
The figurative use often implies exclusion or powerlessness. In phonetics, it refers specifically to the absence of vocal-fold vibration, not to an absence of sound.
A speech sound produced without vibration of the vocal folds.
"The teacher asked the students to underline every voiceless in the passage."
The noun is chiefly used in specialist discussions of phonetics and pronunciation.
The plural is uncommon and is chiefly used in specialist phonetics writing.
"The students identified the voicelesses in the word “six.”"
The /p/ in apple and the /k/ in cat are voiceless: you hear them, but your vocal folds do not vibrate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does voiceless come from?
Voiceless was formed in English by combining voice with the productive suffix -less, meaning “without” or “lacking.” Voice itself came through Old French vois from Latin vox, a word associated with the Latin verb vocare, “to call” or “to summon.” Related English words include vocal, vociferous, advocate, and provoke, all of which reflect cognate Latin formations connected with calling, voice, or making something known.
Related word forms
How voiceless is actually used
The figurative sense is emotionally expressive and can suggest powerlessness, exclusion, or the suppression of a person's voice. The technical phonetic sense is precise and should not be confused with a sound that is merely quiet.
Easily confused with voiceless
A muted sound has its volume reduced, whereas a voiceless sound is defined by the absence of vocal-fold vibration and may still be audible.