cacophony

American  

[kuh-kof-uh-nee] / kəˈkɒf ə ni /

noun

plural

cacophonies

1. harsh or unpleasant discordance of sound; dissonance.

   After living in the country, it's difficult for me to adjust to the cacophony produced by city traffic.

2. a discordant and meaningless mixture of sounds.

   The sound effects included a cacophony of hoots, cackles, and wails.

3. Music. frequent use of harsh, discordant notes or chords that seem to be patternless and without connection to each other.

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cacophony British  

/ kəˈkɒfənɪ /

noun

1. harsh discordant sound; dissonance

2. the use of unharmonious or dissonant speech sounds in language

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Other Word Forms

• cacophonic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cacophony

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin cacophonia, from Greek kakophōnía; equivalent to caco- + -phony

Example Sentences

The Empire State Building in bustling Manhattan is now equipped with super sensitive microphones, tuning into bird calls and the slightest flutter of insects amid the cacophony of the concrete jungle.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some describe Fed speeches as “cacophony” that confuses the markets without adding value.

From MarketWatch

“What a Wonderful World” treats dissonance, cacophony and intensity as metaphors for daily life.

From Los Angeles Times

“But…” There were a thousand things he wanted to ask; a cacophony, rising in his throat.

From Literature

By the time he got home to the usual cacophony of the McKay house, Coal was exhausted in every possible way.

From Literature

Related Words

• noise