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subvocally

subvocally

8.5
Saying words softly to yourself in your mind or under your breath
  • adverb
  • /sʌbˈvoʊkəli/
translation icon : subvocalmente
  • He read the poem subvocally to himself.

Examples

  • The actor practiced his lines subvocally while waiting backstage.

  • He read the instructions subvocally before starting the experiment.

  • During the test, she solved the math problems subvocally to avoid disturbing others.

  • She subvocally agreed with the speaker's points.

  • He subvocally repeated the instructions to make sure he remembered them.

  • She agreed subvocally, hoping no one else would hear her response.

  • During the meditation, he subvocally focused on his breathing.

Synonyms

quietly
vssubvocally
517 1.0

In a quiet way that makes little or no noise

focuses on inner thought or inaudible whispering rather than mere low volume
silently
vssubvocally
129 1.2

In a quiet way without making any sound or speaking

can be internal mental speech or barely breathed words rather than voiced
in silence
vssubvocally
87 2.1

Not speaking or making any sound

includes inner mental speech or faint breathings rather than audible talk
mutely
vssubvocally
3 5.6

Without speaking or making any sound

often occurs inside thought or under breath rather than aloud
sotto voce
vssubvocally
2 9.8

To speak quietly so others do not hear

is often inaudible or internal rather than a soft spoken utterance
under someone's breath
vssubvocally
  • Informal
4.1

To say something in a very quiet voice so other people cannot hear

is usually internal or inaudible rather than spoken aloud
voicelessly
vssubvocally
7.1

Without speaking aloud

often happens inside the mind or under breath without voicing

How Audible

loudly
172 1.0
aloud
114 1.0
softly
178 1.0
under someone's breath
  • Informal
4.1
subvocally
8.5
silently
129 1.2

Surface Forms

subvocally positive

Morphology

subvocally = subvocal (transparent) = sub + vocal + ly

Formation from 'subvocal' + '-ly' is a regular adverbial derivation and 'subvocal' is itself a transparent combination of 'sub-' + 'vocal'.

Etymology

Subvocally comes from sub- meaning 'under' and vocal meaning 'voice', the same root you see in vocal and in submarine ('under the sea'). So, to do something subvocally is to use your voice 'under' the normal level — quietly in your mind or under your breath.