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.
Faisuris Alvarez, who runs a beachside fish stand, agonized aloud over these questions without answers.
From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026
In one, on the ability of immigrants to seek asylum, Justice Sonia Sotomayor read portions of her dissent aloud.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
District Judge Anne Hwang, who read it aloud, suggesting the panel was deadlocked.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
In December 1996, with the boom barely underway, Greenspan wondered aloud whether “irrational exuberance” had gripped asset prices.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
Hearing your name, spoken aloud by a voice full of life… It had been years.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
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.
