loud

adjective

ˈlau̇d 

1

a

: marked by intensity or volume of sound

loud music

b

: producing a loud sound

a loud engine

2

: clamorous, noisy

a loud crowd of people

3

: obtrusive or offensive in appearance or smell : obnoxious

… in a white linen suit and loud plaid tie …

—Alice Kaplan

loud adverb

loudly adverb

Synonyms of loud

• deafening
• ringing
• roaring
• noisy
• thunderous

Choose the Right Synonym for loud

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

Examples of loud in a Sentence

She complained in a loud voice.

“Is the television loud enough?” “It's too loud!”

He's known for being loud and aggressive.

Recent Examples on the Web

July 23 – August 22 Your social world may get louder and more interesting today. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

The premise the loudest camps share Two narratives dominate coverage, and both sit on the same side of the only question that counts. — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Modern outfits that look equally effortless, luxurious, and timeless—and prove once again that the strongest looks aren’t always the loudest ones. — Miriam Nehring, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2026

The response to the incident was loud and reverberated across the globe; the UK’s former prime minister condemned X and advanced a deepfake law, while the European Union opened an investigation into the platform. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing loud

• for crying out loud
• loud and clear
• loud-hailer
• out loud
• think aloud/out loud

Rhymes for loud

• bowed
• browed
• cloud
• cowed
• crowd
• dowd
• ploughed
• plowed
• proud
• shroud
• sowed
• stroud

Kids Definition

loud

adjective

ˈlau̇d 

1

a

: marked by a high volume of sound

b

: producing a loud sound

2

: noisy sense 1

3

: unpleasantly bold or bright in color or pattern

a loud plaid

loud adverb

loudly adverb

loudness noun