ventriloquist
ventriloquist
Noun
pl: ventriloquists
This term describes a specialized entertainer whose craft relies on the deception of the audience's auditory perception. The primary appeal lies in the disconnect between the visible stillness of the performer's mouth and the audible output of speech, creating a psychological trick that attributes agency to an inanimate object.
In modern usage, the word carries a strong association with variety shows and traditional circus acts. While it refers to the person, it implicitly evokes the presence of a dummy or puppet, as the art form is rarely practiced in isolation without a visual focal point for the projected voice.
Meanings
Examples
That ventriloquist is incredibly talented at mimicking different accents.
ventriloquist