1
a
: the voice of an unseen narrator speaking (as in a motion picture or television commercial)
b
: the voice of a visible character (as in a motion picture) expressing unspoken thoughts
2
: a recording of a voice-over

Examples of voice-over in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Frequently in Hollywood, sign language is accompanied by captions, but the directors of Deaf President Now! opted to use voice-overs when the Deaf interviewees are on set. John Hendrickson, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025 The most celebrated of local claim-to-fame voice-over artists for our Midwest roots extending to international attention is a fellow alum of Valparaiso University, JoBe Cerny, who operates his own voice-over talent studio in downtown Chicago on Illinois Street. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025 In a voice-over, the responding officer, Mark Raposo, recalls his suspicions en route. Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 12 May 2025 Take, for instance, the voice-over in this new trailer, which sounds right out of the mid-aughts and/or a Saturday Night Live digital short making fun of trailers from the mid-aughts. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for voice-over

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of voice-over was circa 1947

Cite this Entry

“Voice-over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voice-over. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

voice-over

noun
ˈvȯi-ˌsō-vər
: the voice in a film or television program of a person who is heard but not seen or not seen actually talking
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