vocalize

/ˌvoʊkəˈlaɪz/

Other forms: vocalizing; vocalized; vocalizes

When you speak, sing, or utter any kind of sound, you vocalize. A tiny baby can only vocalize gurgles and coos, but by the time she's three or four, she'll vocalize all kinds of opinions.

Vocalize literally means to make a noise using your voice — in fact, vocalize is rooted in the Latin root word for "voice," vox. It's nearly a synonym for verbalize, "put into words," except that when you vocalize you may speak using words or you may merely make noises. So while your dog is smart enough to vocalize a response when you say, "Speak," he's still not smart enough to verbalize.

Definitions of vocalize

1. verb

   utter speech sounds
   synonyms: phonate, vocalise

   type of:

   mouth, speak, talk, utter, verbalise, verbalize

   express in speech
2. verb

   utter with vibrating vocal chords
   synonyms: sound, vocalise, voice

   types:

   chirk

   make a shrill creaking, squeaking, or noise, as of a door, mouse, or bird

   quaver, waver

   give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency

   type of:

   articulate, enounce, enunciate, pronounce, say, sound out

   speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
3. verb

   pronounce as a vowel
   synonyms: vocalise, vowelise, vowelize

   type of:

   articulate, enounce, enunciate, pronounce, say, sound out

   speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
4. verb

   express or state clearly
   synonyms: articulate, enunciate, vocalise

   type of:

   say, state, tell

   express in words
5. verb

   sing (each note a scale or in a melody) with the same vowel
   synonyms: vocalise

   type of:

   sing

   produce tones with the voice