Phonate is a verb that means to make vocal sounds.

The Greek word Phone (PHONE) means ‘sound.’ Our word of the day is a synonym of words like ‘talk,’ and ‘speak’ but it’s a broader term that refers to the making of any kind of sound from a person’s mouth.

The microphones we used in the studio were so sensitive they picked up any sounds from the speaker’s mouth — even if they weren’t aware of making them. When people would phonate in any way — lick their lips, breathe or even open their mouths — the evidence would be right there in the listener’s ears.