dry voice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dry voice" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It describes the quality or tone of someone's voice, indicating that it is lacking in emotion or moisture. It is often used to convey a sense of seriousness or severity. Example: The judge delivered her verdict in a dry voice, leaving the defendant and his family devastated.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"I don't think so," he answered in a dry voice.

The New Yorker

The strings are heavy, but the dry voice strikes a balance.

The New York Times - Arts

To space fans and perpetual adolescents everywhere Arthur C. Clarke was simply the deceptively dry voice of cosmic wonder.

The New York Times

And then his dry voice filled like a sail and became good-humored and natural and young.

The New Yorker

The reader is quickly intrigued by Gursky's disappointed, dry voice, and by Alma's more engaged and naive tone.

The Guardian - Books

Graves's screen time is brief, but he fills it memorably, his dry voice crackling with rage and revolt.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

I wanted there to be a lot of intimacy in the song—hands on drum skins, dry voices and open spaces". Ray Like Morning will see release on June 17.

Vice

The tenor Paul Groves, a little dry of voice but vocally consistent and affecting, and the soprano Erin Wall, in lovely voice though her diction could have been better, were convincing as Mark and Jenifer.

The New York Times - Arts

She spoke rapidly, in a dry, penetrating voice.

The New Yorker

His distinctively dry, deep voice was also heard in cartoons and commercials.

The New York Times

Few musical notes are buried in his flat, dry speaking voice, an ideal instrument for conveying an ominous inner deadness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dry voice" when you want to convey a lack of emotion, sincerity, or enthusiasm in someone's speech. This is particularly effective in narrative writing to highlight a character's detachment or cynicism.

Common error

Avoid using "dry voice" excessively in scenes that require emotional depth. It can flatten the emotional impact and make characters seem less relatable. Opt for more nuanced descriptions of vocal tone when portraying strong emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dry voice" primarily functions as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "voice" with the adjective "dry". It is used to characterize the quality or tone of a person's voice, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dry voice" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a voice lacking emotion or warmth. According to Ludwig, its primary function is descriptive, serving to convey detachment or cynicism. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "dry voice" paints a picture of a speaker's emotional state. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in emotional scenes to prevent flattening the narrative impact. Exploring alternatives like "emotionless voice" or "flat voice" can add depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arid voice

Uses a metaphorical comparison to dryness, similar to the original phrase.

unemotional voice

Directly states the lack of emotional content in the voice.

emotionless voice

Focuses on the lack of emotion in the voice.

expressionless tone

Highlights the absence of expression in the vocal delivery.

flat voice

Emphasizes the monotonous and even quality of the voice.

monotone voice

Similar to 'flat voice', stressing the lack of pitch variation.

drained voice

Suggests the voice lacks energy or vitality.

weary voice

Implies tiredness or exhaustion in the voice.

hushed tone

Focuses on the low volume and subdued nature of the voice.

laconic delivery

Emphasizes the brief and concise nature of the vocal delivery.

FAQs

How can I describe a voice that lacks emotion?

You can use phrases like "emotionless voice", "flat voice", or "expressionless tone" to describe a voice that lacks emotion. The phrase "dry voice" is also suitable and implies a lack of warmth or sincerity.

Is "dry voice" a formal or informal expression?

"Dry voice" is considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone of the writing or conversation.

What does it mean when someone is described as having a "dry voice"?

Describing someone as having a "dry voice" usually means their voice lacks emotion, warmth, or sincerity. It can also imply a sarcastic or detached tone.

How does "dry voice" differ from "hoarse voice"?

A "dry voice" indicates a lack of emotion, while a "hoarse voice" describes a raspy or rough vocal quality, often due to illness or overuse. They refer to different characteristics of the voice.