loud

[ loud ]

adjective

, loud·er, loud·est.

1. (of sound) strongly audible; having exceptional volume or intensity:

   loud talking;

   loud thunder;

   loud whispers.

   Synonyms: stentorian, resounding, earsplitting

   Antonyms: quiet

2. making, emitting, or uttering strongly audible sounds:

   a quartet of loud trombones.

3. clamorous, vociferous, or blatant; noisy:

   a loud party;

   a loud demonstration.

4. emphatic or insistent:

   to be loud in one's praises;

   a loud denial.

5. garish, conspicuous, or ostentatious, as colors, dress, or the wearer of garish dress:

   loud ties;

   a loud dresser.

   Synonyms: showy, flashy, gaudy

6. obtrusively vulgar, as manners or persons.
7. strong or offensive in smell.

adverb

1. in a loud manner; loudly:

   Don't talk so loud.

loud

/ laʊd /

adjective

1. (of sound) relatively great in volume

   a loud shout

2. making or able to make sounds of relatively great volume

   a loud voice

3. clamorous, insistent, and emphatic

   loud protests

4. (of colours, designs, etc) offensive or obtrusive to look at
5. characterized by noisy, vulgar, and offensive behaviour

adverb

1. in a loud manner
2. out loud
   audibly, as distinct from silently

Derived Forms

• ˈloudness, noun
• ˈloudly, adverb

Other Words From

• loud·ly adverb
• loud·ness noun
• o·ver·loud adjective
• o·ver·loud·ly adverb
• un·loud·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of loud¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English hlūd; cognate with Old Frisian, Old Saxon hlūd ( Dutch luid ), Old High German hlūt ( German laut ); akin to Greek klytós “famous”

Word History and Origins

Origin of loud¹

Old English hlud; related to Old Swedish hlūd, German laut

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. out loud, aloud; audibly:

   I thought it, but I never said it out loud.

   Just whisper, don't speak out loud.

More idioms and phrases containing loud

• actions speak louder than words
• big (loud) mouth
• for crying out loud
• out loud
• think aloud
• (loud enough) to wake the dead

Synonym Study

Loud, noisy describe a strongly audible sound or sounds. Loud means characterized by a full, powerful sound or sounds, which make a strong impression on the organs of hearing: a loud voice, laugh, report. Noisy refers to a series of sounds, and suggests clamor and discordance, or persistence in making loud sounds that are disturbing and annoying: a noisy crowd.

Example Sentences

"And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next."

From BBC

But concerns have been loudest among retailers and hospitality businesses, where many young people find their first jobs.

From BBC

But during a seizure, the chatter synchronizes into loud bursts of electrical activity that overwhelm the brain's casual conversation.

From Science Daily

In the face of that coming storm, it’s time to write harder, speak louder, dig deeper.

From Salon

"I don't have a problem saying that out loud."

From BBC

Related Words

• big
• boisterous
• deafening
• emphatic
• heavy
• intense
• lusty
• powerful
• rambunctious
• raucous
• resounding
• ringing
• roaring
• rowdy
• strident
• strong
• thundering
• vehement
• vociferous