Main Entry:

loud

Pronunciation:

\ˈlau̇d\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English hlūd; akin to Old High German hlūt loud, Latin inclutus famous, Greek klytos, Sanskrit śṛṇoti he hears

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: marked by intensity or volume of sound b: producing a loud sound2: clamorous, noisy3: obtrusive or offensive in appearance or smell : obnoxious

— loud adverb

— loud·ly adverb

synonyms loud, stentorian, earsplitting, raucous, strident mean marked by intensity or volume of sound. loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness <loud shouts of protest>. stentorian implies great power and range <an actor with a stentorian voice>. earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting <the earsplitting sound of a siren>. raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness <the raucous shouts of drunken revelers>. strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice <the strident voices of hecklers>.