vo|ca|tion|al /voʊke I ʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Vocational training and skills are the training and skills needed for a particular job or profession. □ …a course designed to provide vocational training in engineering. ● vo|ca|tion|al|ly ADV [ADV -ed/adj] □ …a variety of vocationally oriented courses.
voca|tive /vɒ kət I v/ (vocatives ) N‑COUNT A vocative is a word such as 'darling' or 'madam' which is used to address someone or attract their attention. [TECHNICAL ]
vo|cif|er|ous /vəs I fərəs, [AM ] voʊs-/ ADJ If you describe someone as vociferous , you mean that they speak with great energy and determination, because they want their views to be heard. □ He was a vociferous opponent of Conservatism. ● vo|cif|er|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ He vociferously opposed the state of emergency imposed by the government.
vod|ka /vɒ dkə/ (vodkas ) N‑VAR Vodka is a strong, clear, alcoholic drink.
vogue /voʊ g/
1 N‑SING If there is a vogue for something, it is very popular and fashionable. □ [+ for ] Despite the vogue for so-called health teas, there is no evidence that they are any healthier.
2 PHRASE If something is in vogue , is very popular and fashionable. If it comes into vogue , it becomes very popular and fashionable. □ Pale colours are much more in vogue than autumnal bronzes and coppers. □ …the hippie-ethnic look which came into vogue in the late 60s.
voice ◆◆◇ /vɔ I s/ (voices , voicing , voiced )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N , adj N ] When someone speaks or sings, you hear their voice . □ Miriam's voice was strangely calm. □ 'The police are here,' she said in a low voice. □ There was a sound of loud voices from the kitchen.
2 N‑COUNT Someone's voice is their opinion on a particular topic and what they say about it. □ [+ of ] What does one do when a government simply refuses to listen to the voice of the opposition?
3 N‑SING If you have a voice in something, you have the right to express an opinion on it. □ [+ in ] The people themselves must be an important voice in the debate.
4 VERB If you voice something such as an opinion or an emotion, you say what you think or feel. □ [V n] Some scientists have voiced concern that the disease could be passed on to humans. □ [V -ed] This is a criticism frequently voiced by opponents.
5 N‑SING In grammar, if a verb is in the active voice , the person who performs the action is the subject of the verb. If a verb is in the passive voice , the thing or person affected by the action is the subject of the verb.
6 PHRASE If you give voice to an opinion, a need, or a desire, you express it aloud. □ …a community radio run by the Catholic Church which gave voice to the protests of the slum-dwellers.
7 PHRASE If someone tells you to keep your voice down , they are asking you to speak more quietly. □ Keep your voice down, for goodness sake.
8 PHRASE If you lose your voice , you cannot speak for a while because of an illness. □ I had to be careful not to get a sore throat and lose my voice.
9 PHRASE If you raise your voice , you speak more loudly. If you lower your voice , you speak more quietly. □ He raised his voice for the benefit of the other two women. □ She'd lowered her voice until it was barely audible.
10 PHRASE If you say something at the top of your voice , you say it as loudly as possible. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Damn!' he yelled at the top of his voice.
11 PHRASE If a number of people say something with one voice , they all express the same opinion about something. □ This would enable the community to speak with one voice in world affairs.
voi ce box (voice boxes ) N‑COUNT Your voice box is the top part of the tube that leads from your throat to your lungs, which contains your vocal cords.
voiced /vɔ I st/ ADJ A voiced speech sound is one that is produced with vibration of the vocal cords. [TECHNICAL ]
voice|less /vɔ I sləs/ ADJ A voiceless speech sound is one that is produced without vibration of the vocal cords. [TECHNICAL ]
voi ce mail N‑UNCOUNT Voice mail is a system of sending messages over the phone. Calls are answered by a machine which connects you to the person you want to leave a message for, and they can listen to their messages later.
voi ce-over (voice-overs ) also voiceover N‑COUNT The voice-over of a film, television programme, or advertisement consists of words which are spoken by someone who is not seen. □ 89% of advertisements had a male voice-over.
void /vɔ I d/ (voids , voiding , voided )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe a situation or a feeling as a void , you mean that it seems empty because there is nothing interesting or worthwhile about it. □ [+ in ] His death has left a void in the cricketing world which can never be filled.
2 N‑COUNT You can describe a large or frightening space as a void . □ He stared into the dark void where the battle had been fought.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Something that is void or null and void is officially considered to have no value or authority. □ The original elections were declared void by the former military ruler. □ The agreement will be considered null and void.
4 ADJ If you are void of something, you do not have any of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He rose, his face void of emotion as he walked towards the door.