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Definition of talkbox
talkbox
/ˈtɔːk.bɑːks/
talk · box
Plural:talkboxes
talkbox Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
talkbox Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
An electronic effects unit that allows a musician to modify the sound of a musical instrument by shaping its frequency content using their vocal tract, typically via a plastic tube placed in the mouth.
Example
"During the iconic guitar solo, the performer used a talkbox to create a distinctive, vowel-like robotic singing effect."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with a vocoder; however, a talkbox mechanically directs instrument sound into the performer's mouth via a plastic tube, whereas a vocoder uses electronic filters to analyze and synthesize a vocal signal.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'talk' and 'box', coined in the mid-20th century to describe the device's function of making an instrument 'speak', and heavily popularized in 1970s rock and funk music.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Talkbox. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/talkbox