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
   out loud audibly, as distinct from silently

Derived Forms

• ˈloudly, adverb
• ˈloudness, noun

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

For every nanosecond that I miraculously lift off the ground, I land with an inordinately loud thud.

From The Daily Beast

This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud.

From The Daily Beast

Every other band I had been in had been pretty loud, you could never hear the vocals.

From The Daily Beast

Officials also had received reports of loud bangs—called in by fishermen—and an oil slick.

From The Daily Beast

Because Wright was a no-show in criminal court to face the loud music and pot bust he already had an outstanding warrant.

From The Daily Beast

I called out several times, as loud as I could raise my voice, but all to no purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

He burst into a loud laugh, clapped his hands, and danced before the delighted babe.

From Project Gutenberg

This was such a ridiculous idea that Davy threw back his head, and laughed long and loud.

From Project Gutenberg

"Mind what I told you, Henery," he whispered very loud, glaring at Mr. Holmes.

From Project Gutenberg

At the store he would never have given in, but he was not accustomed to hearing so loud a murmur of approval greet the opposition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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