vociferous
Americanadjective
-
crying out noisily; clamorous.
- Synonyms:
- boisterous, uproarious, vocal, noisy, loud
-
characterized by or uttered with noisy or vehement outcry.
vociferous protests.
adjective
-
characterized by vehemence, clamour, or noisiness
vociferous protests
-
making an outcry or loud noises; clamorous
a vociferous mob
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of vociferous
First recorded in 1605–15; vocifer(ant) + -ous
Explanation
Vociferous describes loudmouths, such as the vociferous mob at the soccer game. Vociferous is from the Latin vociferari, meaning "to shout, yell." If you break it down to the first part, take vox, meaning "voice" and add it to ferre, meaning "to carry," then vociferous describes voices that carry; you can hear a vociferous person from across the room at a dance party. Vociferous isn't just loud, but annoying, too, like when the vociferous fans of the opposing team chant insults in unison. Try yanking a cookie out of a little kid's hand if you want to hear a vociferous reaction.
Vocabulary lists containing vociferous
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Latin Love, Vol I: vocare
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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.
While external noise increased, mainly from a vociferous section of the fanbase, she was supported by the club.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
Those vociferous, flat-out denials had been enough to sway the politicians and union leaders who endorsed Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid, until the weight of evidence made Swalwell’s assertions untenable.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
While fans are often particularly vociferous in their criticism online, social media pressure is not often thought to be a factor in a managerial sacking.
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026
Rubio, a Cuban-American and vociferous opponent of the communist government in Havana, did not mention any contact with Cuba.
From Barron's • Oct. 29, 2025
The Ratliffs are vociferous at the table, opinionated about things his own parents are indifferent to: movies, exhibits at museums, good restaurants, the design of everyday things.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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.
