Utterance vs. Voice — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
Utterance refers to a spoken word or phrase, typically reflecting communication; voice encompasses sound production via the vocal cords and is indicative of tonal quality.
Difference Between Utterance and Voice
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An utterance is any segment of spoken language ranging from a single word to complete sentences. Whereas, voice involves the sounds produced by vibrations of the vocal cords, which can be distinctive to an individual.
Utterances are the building blocks of spoken communication, used to convey messages, express emotions, or perform linguistic functions. On the other hand, voice is a broader concept that encompasses not just the sound but also the pitch, volume, and timbre that make one's speech unique.
While utterances are specific to the act of speaking and are temporary, a voice has a more enduring quality that can be recognized over different contexts and times. Voice is often a critical aspect of identity and personality, evident in how people speak.
In linguistic studies, utterances are analyzed for their structure, content, and usage in conversation. Conversely, the study of voice might focus on phonetics, health of vocal cords, and techniques in speech therapy or singing.
Utterances can vary widely even within a single conversation, adapting to context, emotion, or communication needs. In contrast, an individual’s voice remains relatively constant, though it can vary in pitch and intensity depending on the situation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A spoken word, phrase, or sound
The sound produced by vocal cords
Focus
Content of speech
Quality of speech sound
Variability
Changes with different statements
Consistent in a person, varies in pitch
Study
Linguistics (syntax, semantics)
Phonetics, speech therapy
Role
Conveys specific messages or emotions
Identifies and distinguishes individuals
Compare with Definitions
Utterance
Can include words, phrases, or non-verbal sounds.
Her utterance of uh-huh indicated agreement.
Voice
Characterized by tone, pitch, and strength.
He is known for his deep, resonant voice.
Utterance
Serves as the primary unit of speech analysis.
Each utterance in the conversation was recorded for analysis.
Voice
Essential for vocal communication and expression.
She uses her voice effectively to convey different emotions.
Utterance
Reflects communicative intent in context.
His utterance of surprise made everyone laugh.
Voice
The sound produced when speaking, singing, or making noise.
Her voice carried across the crowded room.
Utterance
May be analyzed in phonetics and linguistics.
The utterance was studied for its syntactic structure.
Voice
Represents an individual’s sound signature.
Her voice is easily recognizable on the phone.
Utterance
Any instance of spoken language.
His utterance was clear and concise.
Voice
Singers, actors.
He took voice lessons to improve his singing.
Utterance
In spoken language analysis, an utterance is the smallest unit of speech. It is a continuous piece of speech beginning and ending with a clear pause.
Voice
The sound produced by the vocal organs of a vertebrate, especially a human.
Utterance
The act of uttering; vocal expression.
Voice
The ability to produce such sounds
He has laryngitis and has lost his voice.
Utterance
The power of speaking; speech
As long as I have utterance.
Voice
The mind as it produces verbal thoughts
Listening to the voice within.
Utterance
A manner of speaking
Argued with forceful utterance.
Voice
A specified quality, condition, or pitch of vocal sound
A hoarse voice.
The announcer's booming voice.
Utterance
Something uttered or expressed; a statement.
Voice
(Linguistics) Expiration of air through vibrating vocal cords, used in the production of vowels and voiced consonants.
Utterance
The uttermost end or extremity; the bitter end.
Voice
A sound resembling or reminiscent of vocal utterance
The murmuring voice of the forest.
Utterance
An act of uttering.
Voice
Musical sound produced by vibration of the human vocal cords and resonated within the throat and head cavities.
Utterance
Something spoken.
Voice
The quality or condition of a person's singing
A baritone in excellent voice.
Utterance
The ability to speak.
Voice
A singer
A choir of excellent voices.
Utterance
A manner of speaking.
He has a good utterance.
Voice
One of the individual vocal or instrumental parts or strands in a composition
A fugue for four voices.
String voices carrying the melody. Also called voice part.
Utterance
(obsolete) A sale made by offering to the public.
Voice
Expression; utterance
Gave voice to their feelings at the meeting.
Utterance
(obsolete) An act of putting in circulation.
The utterance of false coin, or of forged notes
Voice
A medium or agency of expression
A newsletter that serves as a neighborhood voice.
Utterance
The utmost extremity, especially of a fight; bodily harm or death.
Voice
The right or opportunity to express a choice or opinion
A territory that has a voice, but not a vote, in Congress.
Utterance
The act of uttering.
Voice
(Grammar) A property of verbs or a set of verb inflections indicating the relation between the subject and the action expressed by the verb
"Birds build nests" uses the active voice.
"nests built by birds" uses the passive voice. Also called diathesis.
Utterance
Sale by offering to the public.
Voice
The distinctive style or manner of expression of an author or of a character in a book.
Utterance
Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance.
They . . . began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
O, how unlikeTo that large utterance of the early gods!
Voice
To give expression to; utter
Voice a grievance.
Utterance
Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes.
Voice
(Linguistics) To pronounce with vibration of the vocal cords.
Utterance
Vocal expression; articulation; speech.
At length gave utterance to these words.
Voice
To provide (a composition) with voice parts.
Utterance
The last extremity; the end; death; outrance.
Annibal forced those captives whom he had taken of our men to skirmish one against another to the utterance.
Voice
To regulate the tone of (the pipes of an organ, for example).
Utterance
The use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
Voice
To provide the voice for (a cartoon character or show, for example)
The animated series was voiced by famous actors.
Voice
Sound uttered by the mouth, especially by human beings in speech or song; sound thus uttered considered as possessing some special quality or character
The human voice is the oldest musical instrument in history.
She has a pleasant voice.
His low voice allowed him to become a bass in the choir.
Voice
(phonetics) Sound made through vibration of the vocal cords; sonant, or intonated, utterance; tone; — distinguished from mere breath sound as heard in whispering and voiceless consonants.
Voice
The tone or sound emitted by an object
Voice
The faculty or power of utterance
To cultivate the voice
Voice
That which is communicated; message; meaning.
Voice
An expressed opinion, choice, will, desire, or wish; the right or ability to make such expression or to have it considered
Voice
(archaic) Command; precept.
Voice
One who speaks; a speaker.
Voice
(literature) A particular style or way of writing that expresses a certain tone or feeling.
Voice
(grammar) A particular way of inflecting or conjugating verbs, or a particular form of a verb, by means of which is indicated the relation of the subject of the verb to the action which the verb expresses.
The verbal system of Latin has two voices, active and passive.
Voice
(music) In harmony, an independent vocal or instrumental part in a piece of composition.
The theme of this piece constantly migrates between the three voice parts.
Voice
A flag associated with a user on a channel, determining whether or not they can send messages to the channel.
Voice
(transitive) To give utterance or expression to; to utter; to publish; to announce
He voiced the sentiments of the nation.
Voice
To utter audibly, with tone and not just breath.
Voice
(transitive) To fit for producing the proper sounds; to regulate the tone of
Voice the pipes of an organ
Voice
To vote; to elect; to appoint
Voice
To clamor; to cry out
Voice
To assign the voice flag to a user on IRC, permitting them to send messages to the channel.
Voice
To act as a voice actor to portray a character.
Voice
Sound uttered by the mouth, especially that uttered by human beings in speech or song; sound thus uttered considered as possessing some special quality or character; as, the human voice; a pleasant voice; a low voice.
He with a manly voice saith his message.
Her voice was ever soft,Gentle, and low; an excellent thing in woman.
Thy voice is music.
Join thy voice unto the angel choir.
Voice
Sound of the kind or quality heard in speech or song in the consonants b, v, d, etc., and in the vowels; sonant, or intonated, utterance; tone; - distinguished from mere breath sound as heard in f, s, sh, etc., and also whisper.
Voice
The tone or sound emitted by anything.
After the fire a still small voice.
Canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
The floods have lifted up their voice.
O Marcus, I am warm'd; my heartLeaps at the trumpet's voice.
Voice
The faculty or power of utterance; as, to cultivate the voice.
Voice
Language; words; speech; expression; signification of feeling or opinion.
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
My voice is in my sword.
Let us call on God in the voice of his church.
Voice
Opinion or choice expressed; judgment; a vote.
Sic. How now, my masters! have you chose this man?1 Cit. He has our voices, sir.
Some laws ordain, and some attend the choiceOf holy senates, and elect by voice.
Voice
Command; precept; - now chiefly used in scriptural language.
So shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.
Voice
One who speaks; a speaker.
Voice
A particular mode of inflecting or conjugating verbs, or a particular form of a verb, by means of which is indicated the relation of the subject of the verb to the action which the verb expresses.
Voice
To give utterance or expression to; to utter; to publish; to announce; to divulge; as, to voice the sentiments of the nation.
It was voiced that the king purposed to put to death Edward Plantagenet.
Voice
To utter with sonant or vocal tone; to pronounce with a narrowed glottis and rapid vibrations of the vocal cords; to speak above a whisper.
Voice
To fit for producing the proper sounds; to regulate the tone of; as, to voice the pipes of an organ.
Voice
To vote; to elect; to appoint.
Voice
To clamor; to cry out.
Voice
The distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech;
A shrill voice sounded behind us
Voice
The sound made by the vibration of vocal folds modified by the resonance of the vocal tract;
A singer takes good care of his voice
The giraffe cannot make any vocalizations
Voice
A sound suggestive of a vocal utterance;
The noisy voice of the waterfall
The incessant voices of the artillery
Voice
Expressing in coherent verbal form;
The articulation of my feelings
I gave voice to my feelings
Voice
A means or agency by which something is expressed or communicated;
The voice of the law
The Times is not the voice of New York
Conservatism has many voices
Voice
Something suggestive of speech in being a medium of expression;
The wee small voice of conscience
The voice of experience
He said his voices told him to do it
Voice
(metonymy) a singer;
He wanted to hear trained voices sing it
Voice
An advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose;
The meeting was attended by spokespersons for all the major organs of government
Voice
The ability to speak;
He lost his voice
Voice
(linguistics) the grammatical relation (active or passive) of the grammatical subject of a verb to the action that the verb denotes
Voice
The melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music;
He tried to sing the tenor part
Voice
Give voice to;
He voiced his concern
Voice
Utter with vibrating vocal chords
Common Curiosities
What factors affect the quality of a voice?
Factors include vocal cord health, emotional state, and physical condition.
What is the primary function of an utterance?
The primary function is to communicate specific content or emotion through speech.
How can one improve their voice for public speaking?
Practices include voice training exercises, proper breathing techniques, and regular practice.
Does everyone's voice have a unique signature?
Yes, each individual’s voice has unique qualities that can usually be identified by others.
How does one's voice influence communication?
Voice influences communication by adding personal tone, emotion, and clarity, which affects how the message is perceived.
Can utterances be non-verbal?
Yes, utterances can include non-verbal sounds that communicate meaning, like sighs or laughter.
How are utterances useful in language learning?
Analyzing utterances helps learners understand language structure, usage, and context.
What is vocal hygiene?
Vocal hygiene refers to practices that help maintain a healthy voice, such as staying hydrated and avoiding excessive shouting.
Can the study of utterances help in speech therapy?
Yes, speech therapists analyze utterances to diagnose and treat speech disorders.
What role does pitch play in the perception of voice?
Pitch affects how the voice is perceived in terms of the speaker’s emotional state and assertiveness.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
