voice-over

[ vois-oh-ver ]

noun

, Movies, Television.

1. the voice of an offscreen narrator, announcer, or the like.
2. a televised sequence, as in a commercial, using such a voice.
3. any offscreen voice, as that of a character in a narrative.

voice-over

noun

1. the voice of an unseen commentator heard during a film, television programme, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of voice-over¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Rather too much time is spent repeating staged close-ups of a left hand sketching in ink or applying paint, or else executing inscrutable mirror-writing on parchment — Leonardo’s secretive signature method — coupled with explanatory voice-over.

From Los Angeles Times

I like the mockumentary style because sometimes the voice-over doesn’t match what’s being shown on camera.

From Los Angeles Times

Jenkins reserves the adult Beth for a reveal at the very end, though the film would have been served by an opening bookend — the script is heavy on voice-over, but there’s a lack of connection with who’s doing the talking.

From Los Angeles Times

Formosa — which provides voice-over services to “League of Legends,” according to SAG-AFTRA — denied the union’s allegations after the organization filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board.

From Los Angeles Times

Roughly 2,600 performers doing voice-over and motion-capture work in the video game industry have been on strike since contract negotiations broke down over artificial intelligence protections.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comment
• criticism
• critique
• description
• explanation
• narration
• observation
• remark
• review
• treatise