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 veryloud.
loudlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
His footsteps echoed loudly in the tiled hall.
Synonyms: noisily, vigorously, vehemently, vociferously More Synonyms of loud
loudnessuncountable 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.
loudlyadverb [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.
See loud and clear
5.
See out loud
6. for crying out loud
More Synonyms of loud
loud in British English
(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
Derived forms
loudly (ˈloudly)
adverb
loudness (ˈloudness)
noun
Word origin
Old English hlud; related to Old Swedish hlūd, German laut
loud in American English
(laʊd)
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
Derived forms
loudish (ˈloudish)
adjective
loudly (ˈloudly)
adverb
loudness (ˈloudness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OE hlud, akin to Ger laut < IE base *leu-, to hear, listen > L cluere, to be spoken of, esteemed
More idioms containing
loud
loud and clear
Examples of 'loud' in a sentence
loud
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 DOVE
The 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)
In other languages
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
Latin American Spanish: chillón
Swedish: högljudd
Thai: ดัง
Turkish: gürültülü
Ukrainian: гучний
Vietnamese: to
Chinese translation of 'loud'
loud
(laud)
adj
[noise, voice, laugh]响(響)亮的 (xiǎngliàng de)
(= gaudy)[clothes]俗艳(豔)的 (súyàn de)
adv
[speak]大声(聲)地 (dàshēng de)
out loud[read, laugh etc]出声(聲)地 (chūshēng de)
to be loud in one's support/condemnation of sth大力支持/强(強)烈谴(譴)责(責)某事 (dàlì zhīchí/qiángliè qiǎnzé mǒushì)
1 (adjective)
Definition
insistent and emphatic
Suddenly there was a loud bang.
Synonyms
noisy
a noisy group of revellers
strong
booming
The man had a large booming voice.
roaring
piercing
a piercing whistle
thundering
forte (music)
turbulent
I had to have a boat that could handle turbulent seas.
resounding
deafening
the deafening roar of fighter jets taking off
thunderous
The audience responded with thunderous applause.
rowdy
He has complained about rowdy neighbours.
blaring
strident
She tried to laugh, and the sound was harsh and strident.
boisterous
a boisterous but good-natured crowd
tumultuous
Delegates greeted the news with tumultuous applause.
vociferous
a vociferous opponent of government policy
vehement
sonorous
ear-splitting
obstreperous
an awkward and obstreperous customer
stentorian
He bellowed in a stentorian voice.
clamorous
The clamorous din of voices filled the air.
ear-piercing
high-sounding
Opposites
low
,
soft
,
quiet
,
silent
,
gentle
,
subdued
,
inaudible
,
low-pitched
,
soundless
2 (adjective)
Definition
(of colours or patterns) harsh to look at
He liked to shock with his earrings and loud clothes.
Synonyms
garish
garish purple curtains
bold
bold, dramatic colours
glaring
flamboyant
vulgar
The decor is ugly, tasteless and vulgar.
brash
tacky (informal)
tacky red sunglasses
flashy
a flashy sports car
lurid
tasteless
spectacularly tasteless objets d'art
naff (British, slang)
gaudy
a gaudy orange-and-purple hat
tawdry
tawdry jewellery
showy
They were smart but not showy.
ostentatious
the ostentatious lifestyle of the super-rich
brassy
big brassy ear-rings
Opposites
conservative
,
dull
,
sober
,
sombre
3 (adjective)
Definition
noisy, vulgar, and offensive
I'm just not a loud person. I'm not a look-at-me type.
Synonyms
loud-mouthed
offensive
crude
a crude sense of humour
coarse
He has a very coarse sense of humour.
vulgar
a TV show well known for its vulgar jokes
brash
crass
raucous
the raucous cries of the sea-birds
brazen (informal)
a brazen dive to win a free-kick
Opposites
reserved
,
retiring
,
quiet
,
shy
,
unassuming
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boisterous
Definition
noisy and lively
a boisterous but good-natured crowd
Synonyms
unruly,
wild,
disorderly,
loud,
noisy,
wayward,
rowdy,
wilful,
riotous,
unrestrained,
rollicking,
impetuous,
rumbustious,
uproarious,
obstreperous,
clamorous
in the sense of bold
Definition
standing out distinctly
bold, dramatic colours
Synonyms
bright,
conspicuous,
strong,
striking,
loud,
prominent,
lively,
pronounced,
colourful,
vivid,
flashy,
eye-catching,
salient,
showy
in the sense of booming
The man had a large booming voice.
Synonyms
loud,
echoing,
thundering,
bellowing,
resounding,
deafening,
strident,
resonant,
sonorous,
stentorian
Synonyms of 'loud'
loud
Explore 'loud' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brassy
Definition
brazen or flashy
big brassy ear-rings
Synonyms
flashy,
loud,
blatant,
vulgar,
gaudy,
garish,
jazzy (informal),
showy,
obtrusive
in the sense of brazen
Definition
shameless and bold
a brazen dive to win a free-kick
Synonyms
bold,
forward,
defiant,
brash,
saucy,
audacious,
pushy (informal),
shameless,
unabashed,
pert,
unashamed,
insolent,
impudent,
immodest,
barefaced,
brassy (informal)
in the sense of clamorous
The clamorous din of voices filled the air.
Synonyms
noisy,
loud,
insistent,
deafening,
blaring,
strident,
tumultuous,
vociferous,
vehement,
riotous,
uproarious
in the sense of coarse
Definition
unrefined or indecent
He has a very coarse sense of humour.
Synonyms
vulgar,
offensive,
rude,
indecent,
improper,
raunchy (informal),
earthy,
foul-mouthed,
bawdy,
impure,
smutty,
impolite,
ribald,
immodest,
indelicate
in the sense of crude
Definition
tasteless or vulgar
a crude sense of humour
Synonyms
vulgar,
dirty,
rude,
obscene,
coarse,
indecent,
crass,
tasteless,
lewd,
X-rated (informal),
boorish,
smutty,
uncouth,
gross
in the sense of deafening
the deafening roar of fighter jets taking off
Synonyms
ear-splitting,
intense,
piercing,
ringing,
booming,
overpowering,
resounding,
dinning,
thunderous,
ear-piercing
in the sense of flashy
Definition
showy in a vulgar way
a flashy sports car
Synonyms
showy,
loud,
over the top (informal),
flamboyant,
brash,
tacky (informal),
flaunting,
glitzy (slang),
tasteless,
naff (British, slang),
gaudy,
garish,
jazzy (informal),
tawdry,
ostentatious,
snazzy (informal),
glittery,
meretricious,
cheap and nasty,
in poor taste,
tinselly,
bling (slang)
in the sense of gaudy
Definition
vulgarly bright or colourful
a gaudy orange-and-purple hat
Synonyms
garish,
bright,
glaring,
vulgar,
brilliant,
flash (informal),
loud,
brash,
tacky (informal),
flashy,
tasteless,
jazzy (informal),
tawdry,
showy,
gay (old-fashioned),
ostentatious,
raffish (archaic),
brummagem (archaic),
florid
in the sense of obstreperous
Definition
noisy and difficult to control
an awkward and obstreperous customer
Synonyms
unruly,
disorderly,
wild,
rough,
loud,
noisy,
out of control,
turbulent,
rampaging,
out of hand,
wayward,
rowdy,
raucous,
uncontrollable,
uncontrolled,
boisterous,
wilful,
lawless,
vociferous,
fractious,
riotous,
tempestuous,
unmanageable,
undisciplined,
stroppy (British, slang),
rip-roaring (informal),
mutinous,
ungovernable,
uproarious,
clamorous,
rambunctious (informal),
rackety,
insubordinate,
roistering,
roisterous
in the sense of ostentatious
the ostentatious lifestyle of the super-rich
Synonyms
pretentious,
extravagant,
flamboyant,
flash (informal),
loud,
dashing,
inflated,
conspicuous,
vulgar,
brash,
high-flown,
flashy,
pompous,
flaunted,
flaunting,
grandiose,
crass,
gaudy,
showy,
swanky (informal),
snobbish,
puffed up,
specious,
boastful,
obtrusive,
highfalutin (informal),
arty-farty (informal),
magniloquent,
bling (slang)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of piercing
a piercing whistle
Synonyms
penetrating,
sharp,
loud,
shattering,
shrill,
high-pitched,
ear-splitting
in the sense of raucous
Definition
loud and harsh
the raucous cries of the sea-birds
Synonyms
harsh,
rough,
loud,
noisy,
grating,
strident,
rasping,
husky,
hoarse
in the sense of rowdy
Definition
rough, noisy, or disorderly
He has complained about rowdy neighbours.
Synonyms
disorderly,
rough,
loud,
noisy,
unruly,
boisterous,
loutish,
wild,
uproarious,
obstreperous
in the sense of showy
Definition
colourful, bright in appearance, and very noticeable, and perhaps rather vulgar
They were smart but not showy.
Synonyms
ostentatious,
flamboyant,
flashy,
flash (informal),
loud,
over the top (informal),
brash,
pompous,
pretentious,
gaudy,
garish,
tawdry,
splashy (informal),
tinselly
in the sense of stentorian
Definition
(of the voice) very loud
He bellowed in a stentorian voice.
Synonyms
loud,
powerful,
booming,
full,
carrying,
strong,
ringing,
thundering,
resounding,
blaring,
strident,
resonant,
sonorous
in the sense of strident
Definition
(of a voice or sound) loud and harsh
She tried to laugh, and the sound was harsh and strident.
Synonyms
harsh,
jarring,
grating,
clashing,
screeching,
raucous,
shrill,
rasping,
jangling,
discordant,
clamorous,
unmusical,
stridulant,
stridulous
in the sense of tacky
Definition
vulgar and tasteless
tacky red sunglasses
Synonyms
vulgar,
cheap (informal),
tasteless,
nasty,
sleazy,
naff (British, slang)
in the sense of tasteless
Definition
lacking social or aesthetic taste
spectacularly tasteless objets d'art
Synonyms
gaudy,
cheap,
vulgar,
tacky (informal),
flashy,
naff (British, slang),
garish,
inelegant,
tawdry
in the sense of tawdry
Definition
cheap, showy, and of poor quality
tawdry jewellery
Synonyms
vulgar,
cheap,
tacky (informal),
flashy,
tasteless,
plastic (slang),
glittering,
naff (British, slang),
gaudy,
tatty,
showy,
tinsel,
raffish,
gimcrack,
meretricious,
tinselly,
brummagem,
cheap-jack (informal)
in the sense of thunderous
Definition
resembling thunder in loudness
The audience responded with thunderous applause.
Synonyms
loud,
noisy,
deafening,
booming,
roaring,
resounding,
tumultuous,
ear-splitting
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tumultuous
Definition
unruly, noisy, or excited
Delegates greeted the news with tumultuous applause.
Synonyms
wild,
excited,
riotous,
unrestrained,
violent,
raging,
disorderly,
fierce,
passionate,
noisy,
restless,
unruly,
rowdy,
boisterous,
full-on (informal),
lawless,
vociferous,
rumbustious,
uproarious,
obstreperous,
clamorous
in the sense of turbulent
Definition
(of water or air) full of violent unpredictable currents
I had to have a boat that could handle turbulent seas.
Synonyms
stormy,
rough,
raging,
tempestuous,
boiling,
disordered,
furious,
unsettled,
foaming,
unstable,
agitated,
tumultuous,
choppy,
blustery
in the sense of vociferous
Definition
loud and forceful
a vociferous opponent of government policy
Synonyms
outspoken,
vocal,
strident,
noisy,
shouting,
loud,
ranting,
vehement,
loudmouthed (informal),
uproarious,
obstreperous,
clamorous,
clamant
in the sense of vulgar
Definition
showing lack of good taste, decency, or refinement
The decor is ugly, tasteless and vulgar.
Synonyms
tasteless,
common,
flashy,
low,
gross,
nasty,
gaudy,
tawdry,
cheap and nasty,
common as muck
in the sense of vulgar
Definition
showing lack of good taste, decency, or refinement