Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense sounds, present participle sounding, past tense, past participle sounded
1. countable noun
A sound is something that you hear.
Peter heard the sound of gunfire.
Liza was so frightened she couldn't make a sound.
There was a splintering sound as the railing gave way.
...the sounds of children playing.
Synonyms: noise, racket, din, report More Synonyms of sound
2. uncountable noun
Sound is energy that travels in waves through air, water, or other substances, and canbe heard.
The aeroplane will travel at twice the speed of sound.
3. singular noun
Thesound on a television, radio, or CD player is what you hear coming from the machine. Its loudness can be controlled.
She went and turned the sound down.
Compact discs have brought about a vast improvement in recorded sound quality.
4. countable noun
A singer's or band's sound is the distinctive quality of their music.
They have started showing a strong soul element in their sound.
He's got a unique sound and a unique style.
5. verb
If something such as a horn or a bell sounds or if you sound it, it makes a noise.
The buzzer sounded in Daniel's office. [VERB]
A young man sounds the bell to start the Sunday service. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: toll, set off More Synonyms of sound
6. verb
If you sound a warning, you publicly give it. If you sound a note of caution or optimism, you say publicly that you are cautious or optimistic.
The markets sounded a warning over a slowdown in the global economy. [VERB noun]
Others consider the move premature and have sounded a note of caution. [VERB noun]
Sir Patrick attempted to sound a positive note, describing the meeting as servinga useful purpose. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: express, declare, utter, announce More Synonyms of sound
7. link verb
When you are describing a noise, you can talk about the way it sounds.
They heard what sounded like a huge explosion. [V + like]
The creaking of the hinges sounded very loud in that silence. [VERB adjective]
It sounded as if he were trying to say something. [V as if]
8. link verb
When you talk about the way someone sounds, you are describing the impression you have of them when they speak.
She sounded a bit worried. [VERB adjective]
Murphy sounds like a child. [V + like]
She sounded as if she really cared. [V as if]
I thought she sounded a genuinely caring and helpful person. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: seem, seem to be, appear to be, give the impression of being More Synonyms of sound
9. link verb
When you are describing your impression or opinion of something you have heard aboutor read about, you can talk about the way it sounds.
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me, does it really work? [V + like]
It sounds as if they might have made a dreadful mistake. [V as if]
She decided that her doctor's advice sounded pretty good. [VERB adjective]
The book is not as morbid as it sounds. [VERB adjective]
I know this sounds a crazy thing for me to ask you. [VERB noun]
10. singular noun
You can describe your impression of something you have heard about or read about bytalking about the sound of it.
Here's a new idea we liked the sound of.
I don't like the sound of Toby Osborne.
From the sound of things, he might well be the same man.
He was being paid danger money from the sound of it.
Synonyms: idea, prospect, impression, implication(s) More Synonyms of sound
11. See also -sounding, sounding
12. to sound the alarm
13. to sound the death knell
14. safe and sound
Phrasal verbs:
See sound off
See sound out
More Synonyms of sound
sound adjective uses
(saʊnd)
Word forms: comparative sounder, superlative soundest
1. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE, oft adverb ADJECTIVE]
If a structure, part of someone's body, or someone's mind is sound, it is in good condition or healthy.
When we bought the house, it was structurally sound.
Although the car is basically sound, I was worried about certain areas.
His body was still sound.
Synonyms: fit, healthy, robust, firm More Synonyms of sound
soundnessuncountable noun [usually with poss]
We had taken great pains to check the structural soundness of the coachwork.
2. adjective
Sound advice, reasoning, or evidence is reliable and sensible.
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
Buy a policy only from an insurance company that is financially sound.
His reasoning is perfectly sound, but he misses the point.
There is sound scientific evidence of what certain gases do to the atmosphere.
Synonyms: sensible, wise, reasonable, right More Synonyms of sound
soundnessuncountable noun
I can appreciate his humanitarian zeal; it is the soundness of his thought that Iquestion.
They have a strong record of financial soundness.
3. adjective
If you describe someone's ideas as sound, you mean that you approve of them and think they are correct.
[approval]
I am not sure that this is sound democratic practice.
I think the idea of secularism is a very sound one.
Can anyone suggest a method of deterring spiders which is ecologically sound?
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If someone is in a sound sleep, they are sleeping very deeply.
She had woken me out of a sound sleep.
Synonyms: deep, peaceful, unbroken, undisturbed More Synonyms of sound
Sound is also an adverb.
He was lying in bed, sound asleep.
5. See also soundly
sound in British English1
(saʊnd)
noun
1.
a.
a periodic disturbance in the pressure or density of a fluid or in the elastic strain of a solid, produced by a vibrating object. It has a velocity in air at sea level at 0°C of 331 metres per second (741 miles per hour) and travelsas longitudinal waves
b.
(as modifier)
a sound wave
2. (modifier)
of or relating to radio as distinguished from television
sound broadcasting
sound radio
3.
the sensation produced by such a periodic disturbance in the organs of hearing
4.
anything that can be heard
5.
a particular instance, quality, or type of sound
the sound of running water
6.
volume or quality of sound
a radio with poor sound
7.
the area or distance over which something can be heard
to be born within the sound of Big Ben
8.
the impression or implication of something
I don't like the sound of that
9. phonetics
the auditory effect produced by a specific articulation or set of related articulations
10. (often plural) slang
music, esp rock, jazz, or pop
verb
11.
to cause (something, such as an instrument) to make a sound or (of an instrument,etc) to emit a sound
12.
to announce or be announced by a sound
to sound the alarm
13. (intransitive)
(of a sound) to be heard
14. (intransitive)
to resonate with a certain quality or intensity
to sound loud
15. (copula)
to give the impression of being as specified when read, heard, etc
to sound reasonable
16. (transitive)
to pronounce distinctly or audibly
to sound one's consonants
17. (intransitive; usually foll byin) law
to have the essential quality or nature (of)
an action sounding in damages
Derived forms
soundable (ˈsoundable)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French soner to make a sound, from Latin sonāre, from sonus a sound
sound in British English2
(saʊnd)
adjective
1.
free from damage, injury, decay, etc
2.
firm; solid; substantial
a sound basis
3.
financially safe or stable
a sound investment
4.
showing good judgment or reasoning; sensible; wise
constituting a valid and justifiable application of correct principles; orthodox
sound theology
12. logic
a.
(of a deductive argument) valid
b.
(of an inductive argument) according with whatever principles ensure the high probability of the truth of the conclusion given the truth of the premises
c. another word for consistent (sense 5b)
adverb
13.
soundly; deeply: now archaic except when applied to sleep
Derived forms
soundly (ˈsoundly)
adverb
soundness (ˈsoundness)
noun
Word origin
Old English sund; related to Old Saxon gisund, Old High German gisunt
sound in British English3
(saʊnd)
verb
1.
to measure the depth of (a well, the sea, etc) by lowering a plumb line, by sonar, etc
2.
to seek to discover (someone's views, etc), as by questioning
3. (intransitive)
(of a whale, etc) to dive downwards swiftly and deeply
4. medicine
a.
to probe or explore (a bodily cavity or passage) by means of a sound
b.
to examine (a patient) by means of percussion and auscultation
noun
5. medicine
an instrument for insertion into a bodily cavity or passage to dilate strictures, dislodge foreign material, etc
Word origin
C14: from Old French sonder, from sonde sounding line, probably of Germanic origin; related to Old English sundgyrd sounding pole, Old Norse sund strait, sound4; see swim
sound in British English4
(saʊnd)
noun
1.
a relatively narrow channel between two larger areas of sea or between an island andthe mainland
2.
an inlet or deep bay of the sea
3.
the air bladder of a fish
Word origin
Old English sund swimming, narrow sea; related to Middle Low German sunt strait; see sound3
Sound in British English
(saʊnd)
noun
the Sound
Sound in American English
(saʊnd)
The Öresund
sound in American English1
(saʊnd)
noun
1.
a.
vibrations in air, water, etc. that stimulate the auditory nerves and produce the sensation of hearing: although the speed of soundvaries considerably, the standard is c. 331 meters per second (c. 740 mph), which is the speed in dry air at STP
b.
the auditory sensation produced by such vibrations
2.
a.
any auditory effect that is distinctive or characteristic of its source; identifiablenoise, tone, vocal utterance, etc.
the sound of a violin, a speech sound
b.
such effects as transmitted by or recorded for radio, TV, films, or on phonograph records
c.
the volume or quality of transmitted or recorded sound
3.
the distance within which a given sound may be heard; earshot
within sound of the bells
4.
the mental impression produced by the way something is worded; tenor; drift
the sound of his report
5.
meaningless noise; racket
6. Archaic
a.
report; rumor
b.
meaning; significance
verb intransitive
7.
to make a sound or sounds
8.
to have a particular tone or quality of sound
your voice sounds hoarse
9.
to seem, from the sound or manner of utterance
to sound troubled
10.
to seem to be or appear to be, based on information one has heard
their plan sounds crazy
verb transitive
11.
a.
to cause to sound
to sound a gong
b.
to produce the sound of
to sound a C on a piano
c.
to utter distinctly; articulate
to sound one's r's
12.
to express, signal, indicate, or announce
the clock sounds the hour
13.
to make widely known; proclaim
to sound someone's praises
14.
to examine (the chest) by auscultation or percussion
Idioms:
sound off
Word origin
< ME soun (+ unhistoric -d) < OFr son < L sonus < IE *swonos, a sound, noise < base *swen-, to sound > OE swinsian, to sing, make music
sound in American English2
(saʊnd)
adjective
1.
free from defect, damage, or decay; whole and in good condition
sound timber
2.
normal and healthy; not weak, diseased, or impaired
a sound body and mind
3.
a.
firm and safe; stable; secure
a sound alliance
b.
safe and secure financially
a sound bank
4.
based on truth or valid reasoning; accurate, reliable, judicious, sensible, etc.
sound advice
5.
agreeing with established views or beliefs; not heterodox
sound doctrine
6.
thorough, solid, substantial, forceful, etc.
a sound defeat
7.
deep and undisturbed
said of sleep
8.
morally strong; honest, honorable, loyal, etc.
9.
legally valid
a sound title to a property
adverb
10.
completely; deeply
sound asleep
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈvalid
Derived forms
soundly (ˈsoundly)
adverb
soundness (ˈsoundness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OE (ge)sund, akin to Dan sund, Ger (ge)sund < Gmc *swintha-, strong > OE swith
sound in American English3
(saʊnd)
verb transitive
1.
a.
to measure the depth or various depths of (water or a body of water), esp. with aweighted line
b.
to measure (depth) in this way
c.
to investigate or examine (the bottom of the sea, etc.) with a weighted line that brings up adhering particles
d.
to probe (the atmosphere or space) so as to gain data
2.
a.
to investigate, examine, or try to find out (a person's opinions)
b.
to try to find out the opinions or feelings of (a person), as by roundabout questioning
often with out
3. Medicine
to examine with a sound, or probe
verb intransitive
4.
to sound water or a body of water
5.
to dive suddenly downward through the water
said esp. of whales or large fish
6.
to try to find out something, as by roundabout questioning
noun
7. Medicine
a long probe used in examining body cavities
Word origin
ME sounden < MFr sonder < VL subundare, to submerge < L sub, under + unda, a wave: see water
sound in American English4
(saʊnd)
noun
1.
a wide channel or strait linking two large bodies of water or separating an island from the mainland
2.
a long inlet or arm of the sea
3.
the swim bladder of certain fishes
Word origin
ME < OE sund, a swimming, water, strait & ON sund, both < base *swem- > swim1
More idioms containing
sound
sound the death knell
sound as a bell
empty vessels make the most sound
COBUILD Collocations
sound
faint sound
familiar sound
loud sound
strange sound
unmistakable sound
Examples of 'sound' in a sentence
sound
Transparency and sound arguments should be put out.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
To make sure my business continues to be financially sound and to get away from bank debt.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This sounds like something the trade unions would approve of.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The trick was that while eating it you listened to the sound of the sea through earphones.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The sound quality is good but not noise cancelling.
The Sun (2016)
They both heard the sound that checked her.
Frances Hodgson Burnett A Little Princess (1905)
You can really capture the sound of the room.
The Sun (2007)
There is a sound mathematical basis for this.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But the way she says it she makes it sound like a consolation prize.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My heart sank as four musicians struggled against a ghastly sound system.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Yet there is sound reasoning behind it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But a cautionary note must be sounded.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yet this sounds like an instrument under strain.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Young has been a critic of digital music because the sound quality is lower than on vinyl.
The Sun (2012)
Some do not like the way their voices sound.
Christianity Today (2000)
That might not sound exactly like a good thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Then he makes a noise that sounds a bit like vomiting.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Some of the results sound as though they come from hippies rather than academics.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The sound altered because now there were two and neither of us were DJs.
The Sun (2014)
He said: 'It sounds silly but if you are going to lose then at least score goals.
The Sun (2009)
Quotations
a sound mind in a sound bodyJuvenalSatires
Word lists with
sound
Medical and surgical instruments and equipment
In other languages
sound
British English: sound /saʊnd/ ADJECTIVE
If something is sound, it is in good condition or healthy.
The stairway was sound and undamaged.
American English: sound
Arabic: سَلِيم
Brazilian Portuguese: saudável
Chinese: 良好的
Croatian: čitav
Czech: v dobrém stavu
Danish: sund
Dutch: gezond
European Spanish: en buen estado
Finnish: vahingoittumaton
French: sensé
German: tadellos
Greek: γερός
Italian: sano
Japanese: 健全な
Korean: 건전한
Norwegian: sunn
Polish: mocny
European Portuguese: saudável
Romanian: sănătos
Russian: здоровый
Latin American Spanish: salvo
Swedish: sund
Thai: ที่ไม่เสียหาย
Turkish: sağlam
Ukrainian: здоровий
Vietnamese: lành lặn
British English: sound /saʊnd/ NOUN
A sound is something that you hear.
He heard the sound of a car engine outside.
American English: sound
Arabic: صَوْت
Brazilian Portuguese: som
Chinese: 声音
Croatian: zvuk
Czech: zvuk
Danish: lyd
Dutch: geluid
European Spanish: sonido
Finnish: ääni
French: son bruit
German: Klang
Greek: ήχος
Italian: suono
Japanese: 音
Korean: 소리
Norwegian: lyd
Polish: dźwięk
European Portuguese: som
Romanian: sunet
Russian: звук
Latin American Spanish: sonido
Swedish: ljud
Thai: เสียง
Turkish: ses
Ukrainian: звук
Vietnamese: âm thanh
British English: sound VERB
If something such as a horn or a bell sounds or if you sound it, it makes a noise.
The buzzer sounded in his office.
American English: sound
Brazilian Portuguese: soar
Chinese: 发出声音
European Spanish: sonar
French: retentir
German: ertönen
Italian: suonare
Japanese: 鳴らす/鳴る
Korean: 소리가 나다
European Portuguese: soar
Latin American Spanish: sonar
Chinese translation of 'sound'
sound
(saund)
adj
(= healthy) 健康的 (jiànkāng de)
⇒ My heart is basically sound.我的心脏基本上是健康的。 (Wǒ de xīnzàng jīběn shang shì jiànkāng de.)
(= not damaged)[building]完好无(無)损(損)的 (wánhǎo wú sǔn de)
⇒ The house was surprisingly sound after the explosion.爆炸发生后，这所房子令人吃惊地完好无损。 (Bàozhà fāshēng hòu, zhè suǒ fángzi lìng rén chījīng de wánhǎo wú sǔn.)
(= sensible)[advice]明智的 (míngzhì de)
(= safe)[investment]可靠的 (kěkào de)
(= reliable, thorough) 牢固的 (láogù de)
⇒ a sound theoretical foundation牢固的理论基础 (láogù de lǐlùn jīchǔ)
(= valid)[argument, policy, claim]合理的 (hélǐ de)
⇒ His argument is basically sound.他的论点基本上是合理的。 (Tā de lùndiǎn jīběn shang shì hélǐ de.)
adv
sound asleep酣睡 (hānshuì)
n
(c) (= noise) 声(聲)音 (shēngyīn) (种(種), zhǒng)
⇒ the sound of footsteps脚步声 (jiǎobùshēng)
(s) (= volume) (on TV, radio etc) 音量 (yīnliàng)
⇒ Morris turned down the sound.莫里斯把音量调小了。 (Mólǐsī bǎ yīnliàng tiáoxiǎo le.)
(u) (Phys) 声(聲) (shēng)
⇒ twice the speed of sound声速的两倍 (shēngsù de liǎng bèi)
vt
[alarm, bell]敲响(響) (qiāoxiǎng)
⇒ Sound the alarm!敲警钟！ (Qiāo jǐngzhōng!)
vi
[alarm, bell]响(響) (xiǎng)
⇒ The buzzer sounded in Daniel's office.丹尼尔办公室的门铃响了。 (Dānní'ěr bàngōngshì de ménlíng xiǎng le.)
(= seem) 听(聽)起来(來) (tīng qǐlái)
⇒ She sounded a bit worried.她听起来有点担心。 (Tā tīng qǐlái yǒudiǎn dānxīn.)
to be of sound mind心理健康的 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng de)
to make a sound出声(聲) (chūshēng)
I don't like the sound of that我不喜欢(歡)那种(種)语(語)气(氣) (wǒ bù xǐhuan nà zhǒng yǔqì)
that sounds like an explosion听(聽)起来(來)像是爆炸声(聲)的 (tīng qǐlái xiàng shì bàozhàshēng de)
she sounds like the Queen (in voice, manner) 她的语(語)气(氣)听(聽)上去像是女皇 (tā de yǔqì tīng shàngqù xiàng shì nǚhuáng)
that sounds like a great idea这(這)主意听(聽)起来(來)妙极了 (zhè zhǔyi tīng qǐlái miào jí le)
it sounds as if ... 听(聽)起来(來)似乎 ... (tīng qǐlái sìhū ... )
All related terms of 'sound'
sound off
▶ to sound off (about sth) (就某事)夸(誇)夸(誇)其谈(談) (jiù mǒushì) kuākuā qí tán
sound out
( person ) 试(試)探 shìtàn
sound asleep
酣睡 hānshuì
safe and sound
安然无(無)恙 ānrán wú yàng
to make a sound
出声(聲) chūshēng
to sound/taste like
听(聽)/尝(嘗)起来(來)像 tīng/cháng qǐlái xiàng
to be of sound mind
心理健康的 xīnlǐ jiànkāng de
to raise/sound the alarm
拉响(響)警报(報) lāxiǎng jǐngbào
environmentally sound/harmful etc
环(環)境上有利/有害 等 的 huánjìngshang yǒulì/ yǒuhài děng de
I don't like the sound of that
我不喜欢(歡)那种(種)语(語)气(氣) wǒ bù xǐhuan nà zhǒng yǔqì
to enter to the sound of drums
随(隨)着(著)鼓声(聲)进(進)入 suízhe gǔshēng jìnrù
to sound/strike a note of caution
听(聽)起来(來)有/带(帶)着(著)一种(種)警告的语(語)气(氣) tīng qǐlái yǒu/dàizhe yī zhǒng jǐnggào de yǔqì