Word of the Day

: September 27, 2025

vociferous

adjective voh-SIF-uh-rus

What It Means

Vociferous describes people who express their feelings or opinions loudly and insistently. It is also applied to things, such as objections, that are expressed in such a way.

// We were vociferous in our support of the proposal.

// The decision was made over their vociferous objections.

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vociferous in Context

"Earlier, there was talk of building a sports complex with playing fields in Highlands Ranch's 202-acre Wildcat Regional Park, which is owned by the county. But that plan was met with vociferous opposition from residents last year. " — John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2025

Did You Know?

Hear ye! Hear ye! To vociferate is to cry out loudly and insistently. Those who vociferate qualify as vociferous, especially when they loudly or insistently show their support for or displeasure in something by hootin' and hollerin'. Both vociferate and vociferous come from the Latin verb vociferari, a combining of vox, meaning "voice," with ferre, meaning "to carry." In addition to describing loud and insistent individuals and groups—critics, crowds, fans, et al.—vociferous can be used for anything characterized by loud insistence, as in "vociferous complaints," "a vociferous defense," and "vociferous support."