obscure voice

USAGE SUMMARY

"obscure voice" is a perfectly valid and useful phrase in written English.
For example, "The detective couldn't make out the words, only the obscure voice coming from the dark alley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In his enfant terrible stage in the 1930s he was both praised and dismissed as a progressive and accessible voice, in contrast to the politically nostalgic and poetically obscure voice of T. S. Eliot.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

On the "Anthology" records, Dylan heard Dock Boggs, Blind Lemon Jefferson, the Carter Family, the Reverend J. M. Gates, Sleepy John Estes, dozens of strange and obscure voices singing about train wrecks, floods, faith, betrayal, an America as rich, joyful, and tragic as "Leaves of Grass".

The New Yorker

But the main objection is that the pastiche partially obscures the voice.

The Guardian - Books

Her 2013 album Britney Jean was characterized by Spears as being highly personal, but it was criticized for obscuring her voice with synthesized effects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During a rare moment when he is not obscuring his voice or modulating it to outlandish glam-rock effect, he speaks sombrely and directly.

The New Yorker

She hid behind masks and obscured her voice with pitch-shifting effects when she was with the Knife,\u00a0an electronic outfit she helmed, alongside her brother Olof,\u00a0from 1999 \u00a0to 2014

The New Yorker

Because Mr. Croiter, who produced Ms. Rivera's album with Bill Sherman, is a very aggressive drummer, her signature songs were delivered with an extra kick that at times obscured her voice and the other instruments.

The New York Times - Arts

And she stays within a narrower range in her vocal melodies, sticking to chant-like choruses and sometimes obscuring her voice with a vocoder or burying it deep in the mix another way that "Reputation" has ceded Swift's ownership of her sound to a force bigger than her, if there is such a thing.

The New Yorker

Only recently a hype-ridden, relatively obscure technology, Voice-over-Internet Protocol services have been taking off, helped in large part by aggressive advertising from providers including Verizon Communications, Comcast, 8×8 and Vonage.

Forbes

Forty community members showed up to the obscure meeting, voicing their support, and Murray delivered over 250 letters backing her plan.

Huffington Post

That particularly New York conviction that construction equals regeneration may have obscured other voices, but they are still out there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obscure voice", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the obscurity refers to the audibility of the voice, the clarity of its message, or the identity of the speaker.

Common error

Avoid attributing the obscurity of the "obscure voice" solely to physical barriers (like a microphone malfunction) when the intended meaning is about the speaker's unclear message or hidden intentions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure voice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "obscure" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "voice". It describes a quality of the voice related to its lack of clarity or prominence. Ludwig AI validates its usage in numerous real-world contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obscure voice" effectively describes a voice lacking clarity, whether due to audibility issues, unclear messaging, or intentional concealment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage across diverse reputable sources, albeit with uncommon frequency. When employing this expression, consider the specific context to ensure accurate representation of the intended meaning. Related terms like "muffled voice" or "indistinct voice" can provide nuanced alternatives, while awareness of potential misinterpretations helps ensure effective communication. Overall, "obscure voice" is a valuable descriptor when the nuances of a speaker's voice are critical to understanding the overall message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indistinct voice

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the voice's sound.

muffled voice

Implies that the voice is difficult to hear due to being covered or blocked.

faint voice

Highlights the low volume or weak audibility of the voice.

unclear voice

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the message or articulation.

hidden voice

Suggests the voice is deliberately concealed or not easily found.

subdued voice

Indicates a quieter, less expressive manner of speaking.

veiled voice

Suggests the voice is covered, either literally or figuratively, making it less direct.

enigmatic voice

Highlights the mysterious or puzzling quality of the voice's tone or message.

garbled voice

Focuses on the distorted and incomprehensible nature of the voice.

inaudible voice

Emphasizes the inability to hear the voice at all.

FAQs

How can I use "obscure voice" in a sentence?

You can use "obscure voice" to describe a voice that is difficult to understand, either because of its low volume, poor clarity, or the speaker's intent to conceal their identity. For example: "The detective struggled to understand the caller's "indistinct voice"."

What are some alternatives to "obscure voice"?

Alternatives include "muffled voice", "faint voice", or "unclear voice", each emphasizing a different reason for the voice's lack of clarity.

Is it better to say "obscure voice" or "obscured voice"?

"Obscure voice" describes a voice that inherently lacks clarity or is difficult to understand. "Obscured voice", on the other hand, describes a voice that has been made unclear or difficult to hear by an external factor. The choice depends on whether the obscurity is intrinsic or caused by something else.

What does it mean when someone has an "obscure voice"?

Having an "obscure voice" can mean the person's words are difficult to understand due to mumbling, a heavy accent, or deliberate vagueness. It can also imply that the speaker's true intentions or identity are hidden behind their "veiled voice".