stentor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low. Primarily literary, historical, or technical.Literary, historical, or biological/technical.
Quick answer
What does “stentor” mean?
A person with an extremely loud, powerful voice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person with an extremely loud, powerful voice.
Something (e.g., a loudspeaker or instrument) that produces a very loud sound; by extension, a person or entity that commands attention through forceful, often authoritative, expression.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical across both variants. The word is rare enough that no significant regional usage differences have developed.
Connotations
In both dialects, the connotation is literary or slightly archaic. It often carries a tone of awe, criticism, or humour regarding the volume or forcefulness of the person's voice.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More likely encountered in literary works, classical studies, or specific scientific contexts than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “stentor” in a Sentence
[BE] a stentor[HAVE] the voice of a stentor[SPEAK/SHOUT] like a stentorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stentor” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The village crier was a true stentor, his announcements heard from the green to the far meadows.
- One needed the lungs of a stentor to be heard over the factory machinery.
American English
- The football coach was a stentor, his play calls audible over the roaring crowd.
- In the debate, her opponent was a stentor, relying on volume over substance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The CEO was a stentor, his pronouncements leaving no room for debate.'
Academic
Found in classical studies, literature, and biology. 'The role of the herald Stentor in the Iliad...' or 'The ciliate Stentor coeruleus exhibits contractile behaviour.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Would be considered an erudite or humorous choice.
Technical
Specific use in zoology/protistology for the genus *Stentor*.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stentor”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stentor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stentor”
- Using it as a synonym for any loud person without the connotation of powerful, resonant, or commanding projection. Misspelling as 'stenter' or 'stantor'. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He stentored across the room' is incorrect; the adjective 'stentorian' is preferred for such descriptions).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. You are most likely to encounter it in literary works, historical texts, or biological sciences.
'Stentor' is a noun referring to the person or thing with a loud voice. 'Stentorian' is an adjective used to describe a voice that is extremely loud and powerful.
Yes. Positively, it can imply commanding authority and the ability to inspire or lead with one's voice. Negatively, it can suggest bombast, lack of subtlety, or being overpowering.
No, it's a coincidence. 'Stentor' comes from Greek mythology. The medical 'stent' is named after 19th-century English dentist Charles Stent.
A person with an extremely loud, powerful voice.
Stentor is usually literary, historical, or biological/technical. in register.
Stentor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɛntɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɛntər/ or /ˈstɛnˌtɔr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Voice of a stentor”
- “Stentorian tones”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'STENT' (like a medical tube that opens a passage) + 'OR' (a person who does something). A stentor is a person who 'opens' the air passage with a hugely loud voice.
Conceptual Metaphor
VOLUME IS POWER / A LOUD VOICE IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (e.g., 'His stentorian voice shook the rafters.').
Practice
Quiz
In which field would the word 'stentor' be used in a purely technical, non-metaphorical sense?