Etymology Map
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Voice

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the sound produced in speaking

Where does the word "voice" come from? It comes from Latin vox, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
vox
Latin · ancient
"voice"
the root of 'vocal' and 'vowel'
2
Stage 2 of 3
vois
Old French · medieval
"voice"
Old French 'vois' still pronounced the s
3
Stage 3 of 3
voice
English · 1200s
"sound of speech"
grammar's active and passive 'voice' dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Voice’s story begins in Latin: vox meant “voice.” The root of 'vocal' and 'vowel'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vois. Old French 'vois' still pronounced the s. It reached English by 1200s as voice. Grammar's active and passive 'voice' dates from the 1300s. Today, voice means the sound produced in speaking.