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

loud and clear

out loud

6. for crying out loud

More Synonyms of loud

Video: pronunciation of 'loud'

Word Frequency

loud in British

(laʊd )

adjective

(of sound) relatively great in volume

a loud shout

making or able to make sounds of relatively great volume

a loud voice

clamorous, insistent, and emphatic

loud protests

(of colours, designs, etc) offensive or obtrusive to look at

characterized by noisy, vulgar, and offensive behaviour

adverb

in a loud manner

7. out loud

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

striking with force on the organs of hearing; strongly audible

said of sound

making a sound or sounds of great intensity

a loud bell

noisy

clamorous; emphatic; insistent

loud denials

5. Informal

too vivid; flashy

6. Informal

unrefined; vulgar

7. Dialectal

strong or offensive, as in smell

adverb

in a loud manner

Idioms:

out loud

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'

Related Terms of 'loud'

Source

Definition of loud from the Collins English Dictionary

Exclamatives

Exclamatives are used to introduce an exclamation of surprise, admiration, or a similar emotion. The exclamatives are: what , such. Exclamations introduced by one of these words consist either of: ...