sound effect

[ sound i-fekt ]

noun

1. any sound, other than music or speech, artificially reproduced to create an effect in a dramatic presentation, as the sound of a storm or a creaking door. : SFX

sound effect

noun

1. any sound artificially produced, reproduced from a recording, etc, to create a theatrical effect, such as the bringing together of two halves of a hollow coconut shell to simulate a horse's gallop; used in plays, films, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of sound effect¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

You could almost just stand back and analyze it, like you would a movie, looking at the sound effects, the lighting, or the makeup.

From MIT Technology Review

That means added music and sound effects to enhance the story.

From Popular-Science

Positioned onstage throughout, sound designer DJ Duggz supplies music and sound effects while bantering with Watts and occasionally channeling voices from the story.

From Washington Post

Winding up to the same sound effect as the arrival of the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character, Bugs throws a heater that not only overmatches the hitter but also slams Bugs Bunny the catcher several feet into the backstop, momentarily knocking him out.

From Washington Post

Don’t let audio be an afterthought—imagine your favorite movie without its dramatic score, or a video game without immersive sound effects.

From Popular-Science

The general sound-effect was a prolonged roar, with an interplay of rippings and tumultuous cheerings.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he realized that no subway train could possibly produce a sound effect so oddly disturbing and strangely alien.

From Project Gutenberg