Definition

Noun: 1. A narration or commentary by an unseen speaker: In film, television, or other media, a "voice over" is the voice of a person who is heard but not seen on screen, used to provide information, narration, or commentary.

Usage

The term "voice over" is used to describe the technique or the specific audio component where a disembodied voice addresses the audience. It is often used in documentaries, commercials, film introductions, and instructional videos.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The documentary used a calm, authoritative voice over to explain the historical events.
  • She has a very distinctive voice and does a lot of voice over work for advertisements.
  • The film begins with a voice over from the main character, reflecting on his childhood.

Advanced Usage

• "To do a voice over" or "to provide the voice over": This phrasing is used to describe the action of performing the narration.
  • A famous actor was hired to do the voice over for the nature series.
• The term can function attributively (like an adjective) before another noun.
  • He is a sought-after voice over artist.
  • We need to record the voice over track tomorrow.

Variants and Related Words

• Voice-over (noun): An alternative hyphenated spelling of the term.
• Narration (noun): The act or process of telling a story or providing commentary. While similar, "narration" is a broader term that can include on-camera speaking, whereas "voice over" specifically implies the speaker is unseen.
• Off-screen commentary (noun phrase): A descriptive phrase with a similar meaning.

Synonyms

• Narration (in specific contexts)
• Off-camera voice
• Commentary

Related Phrases

• In a voice over: A phrase used to describe how a line is delivered or heard.
  • We hear the protagonist's thoughts in a voice over.
• Voice over work: Refers to the professional field or specific jobs involving performing voice overs.
  • She moved to Los Angeles to pursue voice over work.

Noun

1. the voice on an unseen commentator in a film of television program