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Unvoiced: meaning, definitions and examples

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unvoiced

 

[ ʌnˈvɔɪst ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

speech

Not pronounced with vibration of the vocal cords; voiceless.

Synonyms

muted, quiet, voiceless.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unvoiced

Used often to refer to silent or internal thoughts and feelings that are not expressed out loud.

  • His unvoiced fears haunted him every night.
  • Her smile hid many unvoiced questions.
voiceless

Often used to describe someone who lacks the power or ability to express themselves or be heard. Can have a negative connotation.

  • The marginalized groups felt voiceless in the political arena.
  • The child remained voiceless, unable to share his side of the story.
quiet

Used to describe a lack of noise. Can also reference a peaceful, calm atmosphere or a reserved person.

  • The library was very quiet, perfect for studying.
  • She was a quiet girl who rarely spoke to anyone.
muted

Commonly used when something is made less intense or less noticeable, often referring to sounds, colors, or reactions.

  • The colors in the painting were muted, giving it a calming feel.
  • His excitement was muted by the news of his friend’s departure.

Examples of usage

  • The unvoiced consonants in English are p, t, k, f, s, sh, ch, and th.
  • She whispered in an unvoiced tone so as not to wake the baby.
Context #2 | Verb

action

Past tense of unvoice, to deprive of a voice or vote.

Synonyms

deprived, muted, silenced.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unvoiced

When referring to feelings, thoughts, or opinions that are not expressed out loud. It can also refer to sounds in linguistics that are produced without vibrating the vocal cords.

  • His unvoiced concerns remained unknown to his friends.
  • The 'p' sound in 'pat' is an unvoiced consonant.
silenced

Often used with a negative connotation when someone is forcibly prevented from expressing their thoughts, opinions, or feelings.

  • The journalists were silenced by the government.
  • His voice was silenced in the important meeting.
muted

Typically used to describe sound that has been softened or reduced in volume. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a subdued, restrained reaction or tone.

  • The music was muted so it wouldn't disturb the neighbors.
  • Her response was muted, lacking the enthusiasm expected.
deprived

Used when talking about someone lacking necessary or desirable things, often in a societal context such as poverty or disadvantage. This word typically has a negative connotation.

  • The children in the area are deprived of basic educational resources.
  • He felt deprived of the opportunities his peers had.

Examples of usage

  • He unvoiced his opinion after the disagreement.

Translations

Translations of the word "unvoiced" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não falado

🇮🇳 अस्वरित

🇩🇪 unhörbar

🇮🇩 tanpa suara

🇺🇦 неголосний

🇵🇱 niesłyszalny

🇯🇵 無声の

🇫🇷 inaudible

🇪🇸 inaudible

🇹🇷 sesiz

🇰🇷 소리가 없는

🇸🇦 غير مسموع

🇨🇿 neznějící

🇸🇰 neznely

🇨🇳 无声的

🇸🇮 neslišen

🇮🇸 hljóðlaus

🇰🇿 дыбыссыз

🇬🇪 უხმო

🇦🇿 səssiz

🇲🇽 inaudible

Etymology

The word 'unvoiced' has its origins in the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the past tense of the verb 'voice'. It first appeared in the English language in the 17th century, primarily used in linguistic contexts to describe sounds or speech that are not produced with vibration of the vocal cords. Over time, the term has also been adopted in other fields to indicate muting or silencing of voices or opinions.

See also: invoice, voice, voiced, voiceless, voiceover.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,772 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.