noise

[ noiz ]

noun

1. sound, especially of a loud, harsh, or confused kind:

   deafening noises.

   Synonyms: tumult, uproar, blare, clatter

2. a sound of any kind:

   to hear a noise at the door.

3. loud shouting, outcry, or clamor.
4. a nonharmonious or discordant group of sounds.
5. an electric disturbance in a communications system that interferes with or prevents reception of a signal or of information, as the buzz on a telephone or snow on a television screen.
6. Informal. extraneous, irrelevant, or meaningless facts, information, statistics, etc.:

   The noise in the report obscured its useful information.

7. Informal. rumor or gossip, especially slander.
8. Usually noises. Informal. a statement or utterance that hints at or expresses a feeling or intention, especially without action being taken: We’re hearing sympathetic noises from many countries, but haven't received any concrete offers of assistance.

   There’s been some angry noise about the new curriculum. He’s making noises to the press about running for mayor.

   We’re hearing sympathetic noises from many countries, but haven't received any concrete offers of assistance.

verb (used with object)

, noised, nois·ing.

1. to spread, as a report or rumor; disseminate (usually followed by about or abroad ):

   A new scandal is being noised about.

verb (used without object)

, noised, nois·ing.

1. to talk much or publicly.
2. to make a noise, outcry, or clamor.

noise

/ nɔɪz /

noun

1. a sound, esp one that is loud or disturbing
2. loud shouting; clamour; din
3. any undesired electrical disturbance in a circuit, degrading the useful information in a signal See also signal-to-noise ratio
4. undesired or irrelevant elements in a visual image

   removing noise from pictures

5. talk or interest

   noise about strikes

6. plural conventional comments or sounds conveying a reaction, attitude, feeling, etc

   she made sympathetic noises

7. make a noise
   to talk a great deal or complain
8. make noises about informal.
   to give indications of one's intentions

   the government is making noises about new social security arrangements

9. noises off
   theatre sounds made offstage intended for the ears of the audience: used as a stage direction

verb

1. tr; usually foll by abroad or about to spread (news, gossip, etc)
2. rare.
   intr to talk loudly or at length
3. rare.
   intr to make a din or outcry; be noisy

Other Words From

• un·noised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of noise¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin nausea “seasickness”; nausea

Word History and Origins

Origin of noise¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin: nausea

Synonym Study

Noise, clamor, din, hubbub, racket refer to unmusical or confused sounds. Noise is the general word and is applied equally to soft or loud, confused or inharmonious sounds: street noises. Clamor and hubbub are alike in referring to loud noises resulting from shouting, cries, animated or excited tones, and the like; but in clamor the emphasis is on the meaning of the shouting, and in hubbub the emphasis is on the confused mingling of sounds: the clamor of an angry crowd; His voice could be heard above the hubbub. Din suggests a loud, resonant noise, painful if long continued: the din of a boiler works. Racket suggests a loud, confused noise of the kind produced by clatter or percussion: He always makes a racket when he cleans up the dishes. See sound ¹.

Related Words

• blast
• buzz
• cacophony
• clamor
• commotion
• crash
• cry
• explosion
• roar
• turbulence