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
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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300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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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.
Vociferous consumers of dead fish, insects, rodents, and invasive marine species, the reptiles occupy a key role in Lake Nasser’s ecosystem.
From National Geographic • Jun. 23, 2017
Available: Vociferous Coach and His Baggage The ’ dismissal of John Tortorella has prompted plenty of speculation about who their next coach might be.
From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2013
Vociferous voices hailed it, only to induce an augmented bellow of the exhaust with an instantaneous acceleration of impetus.
From Red Masquerade by Vance, Louis Joseph
Vociferous and joyous were the salutations of the latter to their "father" and their new "mother."
From Wau-bun The Early Day in the Northwest by Kinzie, Juliette Augusta Magill
Vociferous applause followed this impromptu trope, and for some moments the Admiral's voice was completely drowned.
From The Astonishing History of Troy Town by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir
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.
