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Definition of 'loud'

Word Frequency

loud

(laʊd )
Word forms: comparative louder , superlative loudest
1. adjective
If a noise is loud, the level of sound is very high and it can be easily heard. Someone or something that is loud produces a lot of noise.
Suddenly there was a loud bang.
His voice became harsh and loud.
The band was starting to play a fast, loud number.
...amazingly loud discos.
Synonyms: noisy, strong, booming, roaring   More Synonyms of loud
Loud is also an adverb.
She wonders whether Paul's hearing is OK because he turns the television up very loud.
loudly   adverb [ADVERB with verb]
His footsteps echoed loudly in the tiled hall.
Synonyms: noisily, vigorously, vehemently, vociferously   More Synonyms of loud
loudness   uncountable noun
The students began to enter the classroom and Anna was startled at their loudness.
2. adjective
If someone is loud in their support for or criticism of something, they express their opinion very often and in a very strong way.
Mr Adams' speech yesterday was very loud in condemnation of the media. [+ in]
Mr Jones received loud support from his local community.
loudly   adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Mac talked loudly in favour of the good works done by the Church.
3. adjective
If you describe something, especially a piece of clothing, as loud, you dislike it because it has very bright colours or very large, bold patterns which look unpleasant.
[disapproval]
He liked to shock with his gold chains and loud clothes.
I once paid £120 for an extremely loud shirt which I've yet to wear.
Synonyms: garish, bold, glaring, flamboyant   More Synonyms of loud
4. 
loud and clear
5. 
out loud
6.  for crying out loud
More Synonyms of loud
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Video: pronunciation of 'loud'

Word Frequency

loud in British

(laʊd )
adjective
1. 
(of sound) relatively great in volume
a loud shout
2. 
making or able to make sounds of relatively great volume
a loud voice
3. 
clamorous, insistent, and emphatic
loud protests
4. 
(of colours, designs, etc) offensive or obtrusive to look at
5. 
characterized by noisy, vulgar, and offensive behaviour
adverb
6. 
in a loud manner
7.  out loud
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
loudly (ˈloudly)
  adverb
loudness (ˈloudness)
  noun
Word origin of 'loud'
Old English hlud; related to Old Swedish hlūd, German laut
Word Frequency

loud in American

(laʊd ; loud)
adjective
1. 
striking with force on the organs of hearing; strongly audible
said of sound
2. 
making a sound or sounds of great intensity
a loud bell
3. 
noisy
4. 
clamorous; emphatic; insistent
loud denials
5.  Informal
too vivid; flashy
6.  Informal
unrefined; vulgar
7.  Dialectal
strong or offensive, as in smell
adverb
8. 
in a loud manner
Idioms:
out loud
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
loudish (ˈloudish)
  adjective
loudly (ˈloudly)
  adverb
loudness (ˈloudness)
  noun
Word origin of 'loud'
ME < OE hlud, akin to Ger laut < IE base *57457leu-, to hear, listen > L cluere, to be spoken of, esteemed

Example sentences containing 'loud'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
The practical effect is to make audio sound louder and more monotonous. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It makes the noise of a loud hairdryer and gives you an instant headache. Times, Sunday Times (2016)That is the loud and clear message. The Sun (2016)Luckily the alarm was loud enough for help to arrive. The Sun (2016)At very loud volumes there is also the danger it will damage your hearing. Times, Sunday Times (2016)You might have felt better to say that out loud too. The Sun (2016)The sun dives deep into the foundations of your chart to give you a calm self-assurance that gets better results than other louder, boastful voices. The Sun (2016)Loud noises are sounded behind their heads. Evans, Peter & Deehan, Geoff The Descent of Mind - the how and why of intelligence (1990)Suddenly his voice rang loud and harsh. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss THE WOLF AND THE DOVEThe best way to ensure that your dialogue feels true is to read it out loud. Times, Sunday Times (2007)But there was a loud bang and he collapsed in the chair. The Sun (2008)All are guilty of turning up the volume far too loud when listening to music through headphones. Times, Sunday Times (2012)You will laugh out loud frequently but also be moved to tears at times by her story. The Sun (2008)Sometimes her moans are loud enough to be heard three courts away. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The price signal is now being heard loud and clear. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Yesterday he took the risky step of saying something out loud. Times, Sunday Times (2013)They showed me the sign and made me say it out loud three times. Times, Sunday Times (2011)His whoop of delight was the loudest sound all day. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Please also read this out loud for the court. Colin Beavan FINGERPRINTS: Murder and the Race to Uncover the Science of Identity (2002)Laugh long and loud and make other people laugh. The Sun (2014)It really is ridiculously fast and very loud. The Sun (2011)This was not hard given that they were extremely loud and obnoxious whilst boarding and finding their seats. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Its voice was loud and harsh. E. Nesbit The Railway Children (1906)It wasn't anything particularly loud or noisy that he was playing. Times, Sunday Times (2007)

Trends of 'loud'

In Common Usage. loud is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'loud'

British English: loud /laʊd/ ADJECTIVE
If a noise is loud, the level of sound is very high and it can be easily heard. Someone or something that is loud produces a lot of noise.
Suddenly there was a loud bang.
  • American English: loud
  • Arabic: مَدُو
  • Brazilian Portuguese: alto voz
  • Chinese: 大声的
  • Croatian: glasan
  • Czech: hlasitý
  • Danish: høj
  • Dutch: luid
  • European Spanish: chillón
  • Finnish: äänekäs
  • French: bruyant
  • German: laut
  • Greek: ηχηρός
  • Italian: rumoroso
  • Japanese: 大声の
  • Korean: 소리가 큰
  • Norwegian: høylytt
  • Polish: głośny
  • European Portuguese: alto voz
  • Romanian: tarevolum sonor
  • Russian: громкий
  • Spanish: chillón
  • Swedish: högljudd
  • Thai: ดัง
  • Turkish: gürültülü
  • Ukrainian: гучний
  • Vietnamese: to

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Nearby words of 'loud'

  • Lou Gehrig's disease
  • louche
  • louchely
  • loud
  • loud and clear
  • loud-hailer
  • loud-mouthed

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'L'

Related Terms of 'loud'

  • out loud
  • loud-hailer
  • loud-mouthed
  • loud and clear
  • think out loud

  • View more related words

Source

Definition of loud from the Collins English Dictionary

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Scrabble score for 'loud': 5
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