sound effects

plural noun

: effects that are imitative of sounds called for in the script of a dramatic production (such as a radio show) and that enhance the production's illusion of reality

Examples of sound effects in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The song, which incorporated amusement park sound effects, was released in 1962 and rose to the top of the charts. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 July 2026

Sunrise vies with King Vidor’s masterpiece, The Crowd (1928), as my favorite silent drama and also features sound effects. — Tim Page, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026

The Tonight Show had fun with sound effects this week during a sketch on corruption and greed in the White House. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 July 2026

In recent years, the typical Shears song has cloaked descriptions of paranormal encounters in hardcore distortion and cartoon sound effects, fleshing out the twins’ strange world while hinting at weirder mysteries beneath the surface. — Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sound effects

• analects
• architects
• dialects
• disconnects
• intellects
• interjects
• intersects
• recollects
• redirects
• affects
• aspects
• bisects

Kids Definition

sound effects

plural noun

: effects that imitate sounds called for in the script of a play, radio or television program, or motion picture