LingvoCore.com

voice box

B2
UK/ˈvɔɪs bɒks/US/ˈvɔɪs bɑːks/

Predominantly neutral, but also used in informal, technical, and medical contexts.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The larynx; the organ in the throat containing the vocal cords, used for breathing, swallowing, and producing sound.

Informal: Any device or system that produces vocal sounds, including vocal effect processors, certain speakers, or a person's voice as an instrument.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The term is anatomically precise but also commonly used in layman's explanations. The primary meaning is always a physical organ, while the extended meaning is metaphorical and context-dependent.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning. Both varieties use 'voice box' as a common term for the larynx.

Connotations

Same connotations in both varieties.

Frequency

Used with similar frequency in both BrE and AmE.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
damage your voice boxremove the voice boxvibrates in the voice box
medium
surgery on the voice boxcancer of the voice boxprotect your voice box
weak
human voice boxtiny voice boxpowerful voice box

Grammar

Valency Patterns

have + a + ADJ + voice boxdamage + POSS + voice boxthe voice box + VERB

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

vocal apparatusvoice organ

Neutral

larynx

Weak

throatvocal cords (part of)

Vocabulary

Antonyms

(none for the anatomical part)

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “(none specific)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare. Might be used in health insurance or medical device contexts.

Academic

Common in biology, anatomy, and medical textbooks as a lay term alongside 'larynx'.

Everyday

Common in general conversation, especially when explaining health issues or vocal function.

Technical

Standard in medical and anatomical contexts, though 'larynx' is more precise.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • (not applicable as a verb)

American English

  • (not applicable as a verb)

adverb

British English

  • (not applicable as an adverb)

American English

  • (not applicable as an adverb)

adjective

British English

  • (not applicable as an adjective)

American English

  • (not applicable as an adjective)

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • He pointed to his neck and said, "My voice box hurts when I talk."
B1
  • The singer had an operation on her voice box and couldn't perform for months.
B2
  • Air from the lungs causes the vocal folds within the voice box to vibrate, producing sound.
C1
  • Advanced imaging revealed a small lesion on the posterior aspect of the voice box, necessitating biopsy.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a BOX in your throat that holds your VOICE. Your voice comes from this 'box'.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE BODY IS A MACHINE (The larynx is a box-like component that generates sound).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid translating it literally as 'голосовая коробка'—the standard term is 'гортань' (larynx).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'voice box' to refer only to the mouth or lips.
  • Confusing 'voice box' with 'Adam's apple' (the external prominence of the thyroid cartilage).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
After the accident, the damage to his meant he had to learn to speak in a new way.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary, anatomical meaning of 'voice box'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in anatomy, 'voice box' is the common term for the larynx.

No, 'voice box' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to vocalize'.

The Adam's apple is the visible projection of the thyroid cartilage, which is part of the larynx (voice box) structure.

It is most common in everyday explanations, health discussions, and introductory biology or anatomy contexts.