loud
/laʊd/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Making a lot of noise. It can also describe a voice, music, or sound that is too strong or easy to hear from far away.
- The music was too loud.
- Please speak louder.
- I heard a loud bang outside.
adverb
In a way that is easy to hear, often with force or without keeping quiet.
- She laughed loud and clear.
- He read the poem loud.
- Say it loud and slow.
Adinary Nuance
Loud is about sound volume. It is stronger and more direct than noisy, which usually suggests unpleasant or busy sound. It is also different from noisome and vociferous; those are more formal or less common. Use loud in everyday speech, writing, and practical descriptions.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- to
- Spanish
- ruidoso
- Chinese
- 吵闹的
- Japanese
- うるさい
- Korean
- 시끄러운
Etymology
Old English had the form 'hlūd', meaning 'noisy' or 'strong-sounding'. It has stayed common in English for many centuries.
Common phrases
loud noiseloud musicloud voiceloud and clear
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is loud a positive or negative word?
- It can be neutral, but it often sounds negative when the sound is unwanted.
- What is the difference between loud and noisy?
- Loud means high volume. Noisy often means unpleasant or full of sound.
- Can I use loud for a person?
- Yes. It can describe a person who talks too much or speaks strongly.
- Is loud used in formal writing?
- Yes, but mainly for clear descriptions of sound or strong speech.