noise
noise — noun
1. A sound that people consider bothersome or unwanted, typically because it is too
A sound that people consider bothersome or unwanted, typically because it is too loud or comes from a disagreeable source.
Amani covered her ears because the noise from the party was too loud.
noise from [source]
The sudden noise of a breaking glass made everyone turn around.
Living near the airport means you have to get used to constant noise.
uncountable: constant noise
Feng could not sleep because of the noise coming from the street below.
There was a strange rattling noise coming from the engine of the old car.
countable: a ... noise (specific sound)
- loud noise
- background noise
- traffic noise
- constant noise
- make a noise
- reduce noise
Usage Note
When referring to unwanted sound in general, noise is uncountable ('too much noise'). For a specific sound event, it can be countable ('a strange noise').
Common Mistakes
2. Unwanted changes or disturbances in an electrical signal, such as those that cau
Unwanted changes or disturbances in an electrical signal, such as those that cause static on a radio or snow on a television screen.
The old radio produced a lot of background noise when Matthew turned it on.
background noise
Rodrigo adjusted the cables to reduce the noise in the audio recording.
reduce the noise
Digital cameras sometimes create noise in photos taken in very low light.
The technician cleaned the microphone to remove the hissing noise from the broadcast.
Too much electronic noise makes it hard to get a clear phone signal.
electronic noise
- background noise
- signal noise
- white noise
- reduce noise
- filter noise
- remove noise
- interference
unwanted signals that disrupt the desired signal, often from an external source
- static
a specific type of noise — crackling sounds from electrical interference
- distortion
a change in the shape or quality of the original signal, not necessarily random
- clear signal
a signal with no unwanted disturbances
Usage Note
In this technical sense, noise is always uncountable. You can describe its type (e.g., 'hissing noise', 'static noise') but you cannot make it plural.
Common Mistakes
3. Information within a collection of data that is not meaningful or useful and mak
Information within a collection of data that is not meaningful or useful and makes it harder to find real patterns or draw clear conclusions.
The survey results contained so much noise that it was hard to draw conclusions.
uncountable: so much noise
Researchers try to remove noise from the data before running their analysis.
remove noise from data
Élise cleaned the dataset by filtering out responses that were clearly noise.
filtering out noise
The new algorithm separates meaningful patterns from statistical noise in the data.
A lot of the online comments were just noise and did not help the discussion.
- statistical noise
- data noise
- filter out noise
- signal-to-noise ratio
- irrelevant information
data that is not related to the topic being studied
- background data
information that exists alongside the main data but is not the focus
- signal
the meaningful information in a dataset
Usage Note
Often used in the phrase 'signal vs. noise' to contrast useful information against useless background data. Common in research, analytics, and data science contexts.
4. A style of experimental rock music that features extremely loud volumes, distort
A style of experimental rock music that features extremely loud volumes, distortion, feedback, and electronic sounds that may sound unpleasant to many listeners.
The band is known for mixing noise with traditional Japanese instruments.
Christopher went to a noise concert last night and found it surprisingly artistic.
noise concert (attributive noun)
Noise as a musical style began in the experimental rock scene of the 1970s.
Critics argue that noise challenges what people consider to be music.
Amihan wrote a paper on the influence of noise in modern electronic music.
influence of noise
- noise music
- noise concert
- noise band
- noise rock
- experimental rock
a broader category; noise is a sub-genre within it
- industrial music
related but distinct — uses machine-like sounds and darker themes
To complain loudly or publicly about something you are not satisfied with.
The residents made a noise about the new factory being built next to their homes.
To say things that sound supportive or agreeable, often without fully meaning them or taking action.
The manager made reassuring noises about job security, but no one was convinced.
To talk in an indirect way about something you might do or are thinking of doing.
The company has been making noises about expanding into the Asian market for years.
An important or powerful person in a particular field or organization.
Maya became a big noise in the tech industry after her startup succeeded.
Is your uncle really a big shot at the United Nations?
To complain loudly or publicly about something.
The residents made a noise about the new factory's pollution.
Why did you make such a noise about the missing package?
To talk indirectly about something you might do, without making a firm decision.
The government has been making noises about tax reform for months.
Sara made noises about quitting her job, but she never did.
To say things that sound supportive or positive, even if you do not truly mean them.
The manager made reassuring noises about job security, but staff were worried.
During the interview, Diego made all the right noises about teamwork.
noise — verb
1. To talk in a loud or noisy way, especially when causing a disturbance.
To talk in a loud or noisy way, especially when causing a disturbance.
The men were noising loudly outside the pub late at night.
A group of teenagers was noising in the corridor after class.
Jessica told the children to stop noising and go to sleep.
imperative: stop noising
The crowd outside continued noising well past midnight.
- clamor
more formal; to make a loud demand or protest
Grammar Patterns
noise (about something)
Usage Note
This use of noise as a verb meaning 'to talk loudly' is very rare in modern English and is mostly found in older texts or regional dialects. The standard expression is 'make noise'.
2. To produce a sound, especially a distinctive or noticeable one.
To produce a sound, especially a distinctive or noticeable one.
The old pipes in the basement noised all night, keeping the family awake.
Something was noising in the attic, but we could not find out what it was.
was noising (past continuous)
The car engine noised loudly when Vivek pressed the accelerator pedal.
The old clock noised every hour with a loud grinding sound.
3. To spread news or information by rumor, often so that many people hear about it
To spread news or information by rumor, often so that many people hear about it quickly.
It was noised around the office that the manager would soon resign.
passive: be noised around
The news of their engagement was noised abroad by local reporters.
be noised abroad
Someone had noised the story all over the village before we knew it.
It was noised about the school that two teachers were leaving at the end of term.
- noised abroad
- noised about
- noised around
Grammar Patterns
be noised abroad/about/around
noise something abroad
Usage Note
Typically used in the passive voice ('it was noised abroad that...'). The phrase 'noised abroad' is the most common surviving form. In modern usage, 'spread by rumor' or 'be rumored' is far more natural.
Word family
- noisyadjectiveA2
- noisilyadverbB1
- noiselessadjectiveC1
- noiselesslyadverbC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Sound is the broadest term — it covers any audible experience, whether pleasant or not ('the sound of waves'). Noise specifically refers to unwanted or bothersome sound. Racket is informal and implies loud, disruptive noise from busy activity ('the racket from the street market'). Din suggests a loud, continuous mixture of sounds that overwhelms ('the din of machinery in the factory'). Clamour is the loud noise of many voices, often expressing protest or demand ('the clamour of protesters outside the building'). For everyday use, noise is the neutral term for unwanted sound; save racket for informal annoyance, din for overwhelming noise, and clamour specifically for crowds of voices.
Common collocations
Phrases
- a lot of noise
- too much noise
- make a noise
Etymology
Noise comes from Old French 'noise', which meant 'a disturbance, quarrel, or loud shouting'. That word probably traces further back to Latin 'nausea', meaning 'seasickness' — a discomforting experience. Over time, the meaning shifted from shouting and quarrels to any unwanted or unpleasant sound, and later expanded into technical areas like electronics and data science.