sonorous

adjective

so·​no·​rous ˈsä-nə-rəs How to pronounce sonorous (audio) sə-ˈnȯr-əs How to pronounce sonorous (audio)
1
: producing sound (as when struck)
2
: full or loud in sound
a sonorous voice
3
: imposing or impressive in effect or style
4
phonetics : having a high or an indicated degree of sonority
sonorous sounds such as \ä\ and \ȯ\
sonorously adverb
sonorousness noun

Examples of sonorous in a Sentence

He has a deep, sonorous voice. a sonorous waterfall that can be heard from a considerable distance
Recent Examples on the Web Ameen Sayani, with his sonorous voice, his habit of addressing his listeners as his ‘sisters and brothers’ and his easy familiarity with the Hindi-language film industry talent who appeared on the show, became a firm audience favorite. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 In sonorous, curiously futuristic-sounding voiceovers in the Fon language spoken in Benin, the early 19th century ruler describes thousands of years of darkness in a foreign land after being uprooted like countless others from his place of origin. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2024 Possessed of a sonorous performer's cadence that could switch registers from smarmy to silky as the sketch demanded, Parnell was the definition of the all-star utility player during his time on the show. Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2023 Weekly broadcasts brought to a vast audience his sonorous baritone that would rise to a passionate crescendo; according to one poll, some 16 million people heard him at least once a month. Adam Hochschild, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Oct. 2023 Gad's sonorous tenor can fill all of James Earl Jones' eponymous Theatre while Rannells' high kicks are still grazing his eyelashes. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2023 Across 92 tracks, the sonorous amphibians strike up all manner of din: chirps, croaks, barks, chirrups, beeps, honks, buzzes, squawks, blips, whines, and grunts. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2023 Carnegie Hall’s calendar is particularly plentiful this winter: Daniel Barenboim, having stepped down from the Berlin State Opera earlier this year, conducts the city’s resident ensemble, the Staatskapelle Berlin, in a sonorous cycle of Brahms symphonies (Nov. 30-Dec. 1). Condé Nast, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2023 Meanwhile, Joseph Keenan, the American chief prosecutor, was prone to sonorous absurdities. Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sonorous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin sonorus; akin to Latin sonus sound

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sonorous was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near sonorous

Cite this Entry

“Sonorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonorous. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sonorous

adjective
so·​no·​rous sə-ˈnōr-əs How to pronounce sonorous (audio) -ˈnȯr- How to pronounce sonorous (audio)
ˈsän-ə-rəs
1
: producing sound (as when struck)
2
: full or loud in sound : resonant
sonorously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sonorous

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