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

The rally took place near the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and O'Farrell Street, where demonstrators filled sidewalks and the center median, chanting and holding signs in what organizers described as a peaceful but deliberately loud show of dissent. —Da Lin, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026

The louder and longer the honks, the louder the cheering grew. —Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026

What's more, this door alarm features three sensitivity levels and emits a loud, shrill sound that will instantly scare an intruder away. —Stephanie Gray, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026

Irish Acres, at 14375 Starkey Road in West Delray, is a pocket of tranquility that feels removed from the loud rush of cars exiting the nearby turnpike, or the bustle of shoppers at nearby stores and restaurants, some opening in recent years. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 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
• coude
• cowed
• crowd
• dowd
• ploughed
• plowed
• proud
• shroud
• sowed

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