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

At a Thursday event where incoming House freshmen got assigned new offices, McBride’s name was met with the loudest applause.

From Los Angeles Times

“Every tiny stone caused loud noises and echoes,” he said.

From BBC

“It’s not a real fire folks,” a viewer wrote which the young man recording read out loud.

From Los Angeles Times

In the week that saw the conflict pass its 1000th day, Western powers substantially boosted Ukraine's military arsenal - and the Kremlin made its loudest threats yet of a nuclear strike.

From BBC

"In the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action," said Ruto in a speech met with loud cheers inside parliament.

From BBC

Related Words

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