voiceover
VOYS-oh-ver
/ˈvɔɪsˌoʊ.vər/
A piece of narration in a film or broadcast, spoken by a reporter or character who is not seen on screen at that moment.
Often non-diegetic narration giving internal thoughts, context, or retrospective commentary.
The story behind the word. A compound term emerging from 1930s radio and television broadcasting when recorded commentary was played 'over' separate film footage or scenic visuals.
Word relationships
- narration: Narration is the general act of telling a story, whereas voiceover specifically denotes audio recorded over visual footage without the speaker visible.
- commentary: Commentary implies ongoing analysis, while voiceover can be dramatic inner monologue.
- on-screen dialogue: Spoken words delivered by visible characters in real time.
Commonly confused with
- voiceover-artist: Voiceover is the technique or audio track; voiceover-artist is the human professional performing it.
Word family
- voice-over (noun): Alternative spelling of voiceover.
Collocations
- narration voiceover
- opening voiceover
- voiceover artist
- record a voiceover
Example sentences
- "The movie opens with a poignant voiceover reflecting on the events of that fateful summer." Film Technique
- "A calm, professional voiceover guided viewers through the complex scientific discoveries." Documentary Production
Memory hook
VOICE playing OVER the video track. Voice recorded over film.
When not to use
Do not confuse with off-camera dialogue where a character is in the room but just behind a closed door.
Fun facts
- Film noir movies of the 1940s established the voiceover as a iconic technique to create cynical, moody first-person perspectives.
Related words
Explore more words
commentary, soliloquy, flashback, voice, monologue, exposition
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