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

Alongside a summer animation residency, the BFA and MFA in experimental animation focus on developing personal aesthetics, while the BFA in character animation focuses on artistic and technical training in traditional and CGI animation, including sound effects. —Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025

There are also some games onboard for long car journeys and a speaker for the sound effects. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Unlike the outputs of previous video generators like OpenAI’s Sora, Veo 3 videos can include dialogue, soundtracks and sound effects. —Andrew R. Chow, Time, 3 June 2025

Some hockey teams have incorporated sound effects into their celebratory goal-horn noise—a cannon blast for the Columbus Blue Jackets, a cat’s yowl for the Florida Panthers. —Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 2 June 2025

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