voiceless

American  

[vois-lis] / ˈvɔɪs lɪs /

adjective

1. having no voice; mute.

2. uttering no words; silent.

3. having an unmusical voice.

4. unspoken; unuttered.

   voiceless sympathy.

5. having no vote or right of choice.

6. Phonetics. (of a speech sound)

   1. without voice; unvoiced; surd; aphonic (voiced ).

      “p,” “f,” and “s” are voiceless.

   2. uttered without phonation.

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voiceless British  

/ ˈvɔɪslɪs /

adjective

1. without a voice; mute

2. not articulated

   voiceless misery

3. lacking a musical voice

4. silent

5. without the power or right to express an opinion

6. phonetics articulated without accompanying vibration of the vocal cords

   in English (p) is a voiceless consonant

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Other Word Forms

• voicelessly adverb
• voicelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of voiceless

First recorded in 1525–35; voice + -less

Example Sentences

“Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the Jackson family said in a statement posted online.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Through Spear’s resurrection, “Primal” is quietly delivering a zombie drama that’s strangely life-affirming, led by a tenderhearted brute who is sensitive to the other voiceless, helpless beings around him.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

By that point voiceless from supporting his team-mate, Berrettini had once again set the standard by defeating Collignon 6-3 6-4 in 90 minutes.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025

There was appreciation for his endeavour to become a voice for the voiceless and focus on the poor and those whose destinies were not in their own hands.

From BBC • May 9, 2025

I open my mouth to scream, but I am voiceless.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes