devoice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical
Quick answer
What does “devoice” mean?
To make a voiced sound voiceless.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make a voiced sound voiceless.
In phonetics and phonology, the process by which a normally voiced consonant becomes voiceless due to its phonetic environment, a type of assimilation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Minor potential spelling preference for 'ise/ize' in derived noun 'devoicing'.
Connotations
Purely technical. No additional connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of linguistic texts. Frequency is identical in both varieties within that context.
Grammar
How to Use “devoice” in a Sentence
[Sound/Consonant] + devoices + (in [environment])Devoice + [Sound/Consonant]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devoice” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- In German, the consonants /b/, /d/, /g/ devoice to /p/, /t/, /k/ at the end of a word.
- The phoneme /z/ may devoice when it precedes a voiceless consonant.
American English
- The 's' in 'cats' devoices to sound like [s] rather than [z].
- Linguists note that some English dialects devoice final /z/ more than others.
adjective
British English
- The devoiced allophone of /d/ is [t].
- She studied the devoiced variants of the fricative.
American English
- The devoiced consonant produced a subtle change in the word's perception.
- A devoiced stop can be difficult for learners to distinguish.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in linguistics, phonetics, and language acquisition research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in phonology to describe sound change rules, e.g., 'Final Obstruent Devoicing'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devoice”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'silence' or 'quiet'.
- Misspelling as 'de-voice' or 'de voice'.
- Incorrect pronunciation with stress on the first syllable (/ˈdiːvɔɪs/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in technical phonetics, 'devoice' and 'unvoice' are synonyms. 'Devoice' is more commonly used in modern linguistic literature.
The primary use is as a verb. The noun form is 'devoicing' (e.g., 'final devoicing').
No, it is not a conscious action. It is an automatic phonological process governed by the rules of a speaker's language or dialect.
The direct opposite is 'voice' (as a verb) or 'sonorize'. This means to add vocal cord vibration to a sound.
To make a voiced sound voiceless.
Devoice is usually technical in register.
Devoice: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdiːˈvɔɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdiːˈvɔɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'deactivate' – to make something inactive. 'Devoice' is to make a sound 'voiceless' or inactive in terms of vocal cord vibration.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS AN OBJECT THAT CAN BE STRIPPED OF A PROPERTY (voicing).
Practice
Quiz
What does it mean for a consonant to devoice?