Voice vs. Vox — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 13, 2024
"Voice" refers to the sound produced by vocal cords, essential for speech and singing, whereas "vox" is a Latin term often used in phrases like "vox populi" meaning "voice of the people."
Difference Between Voice and Vox
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Voice is a general term used to describe the sounds produced when humans speak, sing, or make other vocalizations, involving the use of lungs, vocal cords, and other body parts. On the other hand, vox is specifically a Latin word for "voice," primarily seen in academic, legal, or historical contexts, and it retains a formal tone.
While voice is a broad term that applies to both the physical sounds and the metaphorical expression of opinion or emotion, vox is typically used in set phrases and often symbolizes collective or public opinion, as seen in terms like "vox populi" (voice of the people) or "vox Dei" (voice of God).
In terms of usage, voice is widely used in everyday language and covers a variety of contexts from technology (like voice recognition) to literature (authorial voice). Conversely, vox is less common and is typically reserved for more formal or traditional expressions, often retaining its Latin roots.
Technologically, innovations in voice technology encompass voice-activated assistants, voice recognition systems, and vocal health monitoring devices. Vox, while not commonly associated with technology, may appear in names or titles to evoke a classic or authoritative feel, such as Vox Media.
In musical or audio terminology, "voice" can refer to the specific tonal qualities or ranges of singers, or the individual sounds in polyphonic music. Vox, while not commonly used in this technical sense, might still appear in musical contexts as part of a brand or product name, implying a traditional or classical quality.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Sound produced by vocal cords; also a metaphor for expression
Latin word for "voice," used in formal or traditional phrases
Usage
Broad, everyday contexts
Formal, specific phrases and contexts
Symbolism
Personal or individual expression, opinion
Often collective or authoritative opinion
Technological Use
Voice recognition, vocal health technology
Rarely used directly in technology
Musical Connotation
Tonal quality of singers, sound in polyphony
Sometimes used in brand names, evoking classic quality
Compare with Definitions
Voice
The sound produced by humans for speaking and singing.
She trained her voice to reach higher octaves.
Vox
Used in naming to suggest authority or tradition.
Vox Media is known for its impactful journalism.
Voice
A means of expressing opinion or emotion.
He used his voice to advocate for change.
Vox
Latin for "voice," used in formal or classical contexts.
Vox populi, vox Dei is a famous Latin phrase.
Voice
The capability or power to speak or sing.
Laryngitis can result in the temporary loss of voice.
Vox
Symbolizes public or collective opinion in phrases.
The senator referred to the vox populi during the debate.
Voice
The sound produced by the vocal organs of a vertebrate, especially a human.
Vox
Appears in historical or academic discussions.
Scholars discuss the importance of the vox Romana in ancient rhetoric.
Voice
The ability to produce such sounds
He has laryngitis and has lost his voice.
Vox
Rarely used in everyday conversation, maintaining a specialized usage.
Legal texts may use vox to denote authoritative statements.
Voice
The mind as it produces verbal thoughts
Listening to the voice within.
Vox
(especially in music journalism) vocals; voice
His matinee-idol vox
Voice
A specified quality, condition, or pitch of vocal sound
A hoarse voice.
The announcer's booming voice.
Vox
The voice, especially one's singing voice; vocals.
Voice
(Linguistics) Expiration of air through vibrating vocal cords, used in the production of vowels and voiced consonants.
Vox
Ellipsis of vox pop
Voice
A sound resembling or reminiscent of vocal utterance
The murmuring voice of the forest.
Vox
A voice.
Voice
Musical sound produced by vibration of the human vocal cords and resonated within the throat and head cavities.
Vox
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
The quality or condition of a person's singing
A baritone in excellent voice.
Voice
A singer
A choir of excellent voices.
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.
Voice
Expression; utterance
Gave voice to their feelings at the meeting.
Voice
A medium or agency of expression
A newsletter that serves as a neighborhood voice.
Voice
The right or opportunity to express a choice or opinion
A territory that has a voice, but not a vote, in Congress.
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.
Voice
The distinctive style or manner of expression of an author or of a character in a book.
Voice
To give expression to; utter
Voice a grievance.
Voice
(Linguistics) To pronounce with vibration of the vocal cords.
Voice
To provide (a composition) with voice parts.
Voice
To regulate the tone of (the pipes of an organ, for example).
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
Voice
A characteristic sound or style in writing or speaking.
The author’s unique voice is evident in her novels.
Voice
Technologically, refers to systems recognizing or synthesizing speech.
Voice recognition software has improved significantly.
Common Curiosities
What is the primary use of the term "voice"?
Voice is primarily used to describe the sound produced by vocal cords and is also a metaphor for expression or opinion.
Is there a technological application for "vox"?
While "vox" itself is not commonly used in technology, it may appear in the branding of media or audio products to evoke tradition or authority.
What does "vox populi" mean?
"Vox populi" is a Latin phrase that translates to "voice of the people," often used to denote public opinion.
Can "voice" and "vox" be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot be used interchangeably as "voice" is a general term used in everyday language, whereas "vox" is a Latin term used in specific contexts.
What are the implications of voice technology for privacy?
Voice technology raises significant privacy concerns, as it often involves the collection and analysis of personal data, which can be misused if not properly secured and regulated.
Why might someone choose to use 'vox' instead of 'voice' in communication?
Someone might use 'vox' instead of 'voice' to lend a sense of formality, authority, or classical tradition to their communication, particularly in academic, legal, or historical discussions.
How is "vox" most commonly used in language today?
Vox is most commonly used within fixed phrases or expressions, often in more formal or academic contexts.
What are the professional fields where 'voice' is critically important?
Professional fields such as singing, acting, broadcasting, teaching, and law often regard 'voice' as critically important for effective communication and performance.
What impact does 'voice' have in literary analysis?
In literary analysis, 'voice' refers to the distinctive style or perspective of an author or a narrator within a text, crucial for understanding the uniqueness and depth of literary works.
How does the concept of 'vox' interact with concepts of democracy?
The concept of 'vox,' especially in the phrase 'vox populi,' interacts with democracy by emphasizing the importance of listening to and valuing the collective voice or opinion of the populace in democratic governance.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
