noise

[noiz]

noun

1. sound, especially of a loud, harsh, or confused kind.

   deafening noises.

   Synonyms: tumult, uproar, blare, clatter

2. a sound of any kind.

   to hear a noise at the door.

3. loud shouting, outcry, or clamor.

4. a nonharmonious or discordant group of sounds.

5. an electric disturbance in a communications system that interferes with or prevents reception of a signal or of information, as the buzz on a telephone or snow on a television screen.

6. Informal.,  extraneous, irrelevant, or meaningless facts, information, statistics, etc..

   The noise in the report obscured its useful information.

7. Informal.,  rumor or gossip, especially slander.

8. Informal.,  Usually noises a statement or utterance that hints at or expresses a feeling or intention, especially without action being taken: We’re hearing sympathetic noises from many countries, but haven't received any concrete offers of assistance.

   There’s been some angry noise about the new curriculum. He’s making noises to the press about running for mayor.

   We’re hearing sympathetic noises from many countries, but haven't received any concrete offers of assistance.

verb (used with object)

noised, noising 

1. to spread, as a report or rumor; disseminate (usually followed by about orabroad ).

   A new scandal is being noised about.

verb (used without object)

noised, noising 

1. to talk much or publicly.

2. to make a noise, outcry, or clamor.

noise

/ nɔɪz /

noun

1. a sound, esp one that is loud or disturbing

2. loud shouting; clamour; din

3. any undesired electrical disturbance in a circuit, degrading the useful information in a signal See also signal-to-noise ratio

4. undesired or irrelevant elements in a visual image

   removing noise from pictures

5. talk or interest

   noise about strikes

6. (plural) conventional comments or sounds conveying a reaction, attitude, feeling, etc

   she made sympathetic noises

7. to talk a great deal or complain

8. informal,  to give indications of one's intentions

   the government is making noises about new social security arrangements

9. theatre sounds made offstage intended for the ears of the audience: used as a stage direction

verb

1. (tr; usually foll by abroad or about) to spread (news, gossip, etc)

2. rare,  (intr) to talk loudly or at length

3. rare,  (intr) to make a din or outcry; be noisy

Other Word Forms

• unnoised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of noise¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin nausea “seasickness”; nausea

Word History and Origins

Origin of noise¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin: _nausea

Synonym Study

Noise, clamor, din, hubbub, racket refer to unmusical or confused sounds. Noise is the general word and is applied equally to soft or loud, confused or inharmonious sounds: street noises. Clamor and hubbub are alike in referring to loud noises resulting from shouting, cries, animated or excited tones, and the like; but in clamor the emphasis is on the meaning of the shouting, and in hubbub the emphasis is on the confused mingling of sounds: the clamor of an angry crowd; His voice could be heard above the hubbub. Din suggests a loud, resonant noise, painful if long continued: the din of a boiler works. Racket suggests a loud, confused noise of the kind produced by clatter or percussion: He always makes a racket when he cleans up the dishes. See sound ¹.

Example Sentences

Many residents had their windows sealed to block out the noise and dust of the construction work.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The continuous buying and selling of things is commerce, and commerce is, in “JR,” about the white noise of conversation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Speaking after the PSV defeat, Slot said his job was not under threat but he did understand why there was growing noise about his position.

Read more on BBC

However, it’s time for a break from all the noise.

Read more on Barron's

Opening night marked a benefit for quirky noise rockers Lutefisk, who lived in the area and, like many there, rehearsed at Hully Gully on Fletcher Drive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blast 
• buzz 
• cacophony 
• clamor 
• commotion 
• crash 
• cry 
• explosion 
• roar 
• turbulence