aloud
Americanadverb
-
with the normal tone and volume of the speaking voice, as distinguished from whisperingly.
They could not speak aloud in the library.
-
vocally, as distinguished from mentally.
He read the book aloud.
-
with a loud voice; loudly.
to cry aloud in grief.
adverb
-
in a normal voice; not in a whisper
-
in a spoken voice; not silently
-
archaic in a loud voice
Etymology
Origin of aloud
Explanation
If you read something aloud you use your voice, not just your eyes. You might feel shy reading your poems aloud in front of strangers. Aloud used to mean "very loudly," but now we use it to mean "speaking voice" as opposed to the silent voice of our thoughts. You might have to read something aloud to your grandmother if she's having trouble with her eyes. If you accidentally said something that you meant to keep to yourself, you were thinking aloud. If something is terribly painful, you might cry aloud — unable to contain yourself.
Vocabulary lists containing aloud
Commonly Confused Words, List 3
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Commonly Confused Words, List 6
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Commonly Confused Words, List 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a statement shared to social media, Harding's Girls Aloud bandmates said they were "thrilled" with the progress being made in her name.
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026
Girls Aloud members Cheryl, Nadine Coyle, Walsh and Roberts reunited for an arena tour of UK and Ireland in 2024 - their first tour in more than 11 years.
From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025
—Ms. Gurdon, a Journal contributor, is the author of “The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025
Sentencing him, Judge Alan Blake said the Girls Aloud star "does not wish any contact with you".
From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025
Aloud, she said, 'How kind of Mrs Boland!'
From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
