loud

loud — adjective

1. producing a strong, powerful sound that is easy to hear, often at a level that m

1.adjectiveA1
Definition

producing a strong, powerful sound that is easy to hear, often at a level that may feel uncomfortable for other people

Example

The music next door was so loud that Keiko could not sleep.

so + loud + that-clause for a result

A loud siren woke the whole neighbourhood at three in the morning.

attributive: loud + noun

Common collocations
  • loud music
  • loud noise
  • loud voice
  • loud engine
  • loud siren
  • loud bang
Synonyms
  • noisy

    focuses on an environment full of unwanted sound rather than the intensity of a single sound

  • deafening

    so extremely loud that it blocks out other sounds; stronger than 'loud'

  • blaring

    used specifically for harsh, continuous electronic sounds like horns or alarms

Antonyms
  • quiet

    the most common opposite; describes little or no sound

  • soft

    describes a gentle, low level of sound

  • silent

    completely without sound; stronger than 'quiet'

Grammar Patterns

be + loud

loud + noun

Usage Note

Often used with 'too' or 'enough' when making a judgment about volume. Can describe any source of sound: people, machines, music, animals, or natural events.

Common Mistakes

The teacher spoke loud.
The teacher spoke loudly.
'loud' is an adjective; use 'loudly' as the adverb form after action verbs.

2. describes colours or patterns that are so bright or bold that they look unpleasa

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes colours or patterns that are so bright or bold that they look unpleasant or in bad taste; also describes a person who behaves in an attention-grabbing way, for instance by talking or laughing too much in public

Example

Leila wore a loud pink dress covered in gold flowers to the wedding.

collocation: loud + colour / pattern for clothing

His loud tie with purple stripes did not seem right for a job interview.

Common collocations
  • loud shirt
  • loud colours
  • loud pattern
  • loud tie
  • loud wallpaper
  • loud dress
Synonyms
  • gaudy

    specifically about cheap or overly decorated appearance; more critical

  • garish

    describes colours that are harshly bright and clash; stronger disapproval

  • flashy

    attracts attention in a showy way; can apply to both clothes and behaviour

Antonyms
  • subtle

    describes colours or patterns that are delicate and not immediately noticeable

  • plain

    simple and without strong colours or decoration

  • elegant

    attractive in a refined, tasteful way; the positive opposite

Grammar Patterns

be + loud

loud + noun

Usage Note

Almost always conveys the speaker’s negative judgment about taste or behaviour. Used for clothing, wallpaper, furniture, and decoration; also for a person who is excessively outgoing or loud-voiced in a way that others find tiring.

Common Mistakes

The music was too loud at the party' (when meaning the band was too flashy).
The band’s loud suits were hard to look at.
sense 2 is about visual appearance or behaviour, not sound.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words describe sound, but they differ in focus and intensity. 'Noisy' describes an environment filled with unwanted sound from many sources (a noisy street, a noisy classroom), while 'loud' focuses on the volume or power of a specific sound. 'Deafening' is far stronger — it suggests sound so extreme that normal hearing is temporarily impossible (a deafening explosion). 'Blaring' is reserved for harsh, continuous electronic sounds such as horns, alarms, or radios turned up too high. For a learner: a party can be noisy (people talking); a single speaker can be loud (high volume); a fire alarm is blaring; a jet engine at close range is deafening.

noisy ↗deafening ↗blaring

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very loud
  • extremely loud
  • too loud
  • incredibly loud
  • rather loud
  • a bit loud
  • loud enough

Phrases

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word comes from Old English 'hlūd', meaning 'noisy' or 'sounding strongly', which goes back to a Proto-Germanic root '*hlūdaz' meaning 'heard' or 'loud'. That root ultimately comes from the Proto-Indo-European verb '*ḵlew-', meaning 'to hear'. The meaning of 'gaudy' or 'showy in appearance' first appeared in the mid-1800s.