sound
sound — verb
1. to give a particular impression when someone reads about something or hears it d
to give a particular impression when someone reads about something or hears it described — for example, a plan that sounds fun, or a story that sounds strange.
Yan's plan for the trip sounds exciting to everyone.
sound + adjective for general impression
The cake that Mira described at the party sounds delicious.
This game sounds fun — can we play it after lunch?
sound + fun: common A2 pattern
Karim's idea for the party sounds better than mine.
The film that Dewi watched sounds very strange to me.
- sound good
- sound interesting
- sound strange
- sound fun
- sound exciting
- sound nice
- seem
wider use; can be followed by an adjective or infinitive
- appear
more formal than sound
- come across
phrasal verb; emphasises the impression made on others
Grammar Patterns
sound + adjective
Usage Note
Linking verb: followed by an adjective, not an adverb. 'That sounds good' is correct; 'That sounds well' is incorrect for this sense.
Common Mistakes
2. to seem to be a particular type of person or thing, based on what someone has he
to seem to be a particular type of person or thing, based on what someone has heard or read about them — for example, a job that sounds like hard work, or a situation that sounds as though it will be difficult.
From what Christopher said, it sounds as if the meeting went well.
sound + as if + clause
That sounds like a good idea — let us do it this weekend.
sound + like + noun phrase
The job that Karim found sounds like hard but enjoyable work.
It sounds as though the train will arrive late again today.
Your holiday plan sounds like something my brother would love.
sound + like + something + relative clause
- sound like
- sound as if
- sound as though
- sound like fun
- sound like hard work
- seem like
more general; can replace sound like in most contexts
- appear to be
more formal, often used in writing
Grammar Patterns
sound + like + noun phrase
sound + as if/though + clause
Usage Note
The patterns 'sound as if' and 'sound as though' are followed by a full clause with a subject and verb. 'Sound like' is followed by a noun phrase or a gerund.
Common Mistakes
3. to give a particular impression through the way your voice sounds when you speak
to give a particular impression through the way your voice sounds when you speak — for example, sounding tired after a long day, or sounding angry when hearing bad news.
You sound tired — did you get enough sleep last night?
sound + adjective describing speaker's state
Theo sounded angry on the phone when he heard the news.
Imani sounded happy when she talked about her new job.
The teacher sounded patient even after explaining the rule three times.
sound + patient: emotion adjective describing tone
Valentina sounded nervous during her speech at the wedding.
- sound angry
- sound tired
- sound happy
- sound nervous
- sound excited
- sound patient
- sound upset
- come across as
phrasal verb; similar meaning but can also describe non-verbal impressions
- seem
more general; does not specifically refer to the voice
Grammar Patterns
sound + adjective (emotion/attitude)
Usage Note
The subject of this sense is always a person (or a recording of a person's voice). The adjective describes the speaker's emotional state, not the content of what is said.
Common Mistakes
4. to produce a noise, especially in a way that is expected or usual for a particul
to produce a noise, especially in a way that is expected or usual for a particular thing — for example, a bell that sounds at the end of a class, or footsteps that sound on a wooden floor.
A bell sounds at the end of each class at the school.
intransitive: subject + sound
The old wooden floor sounded as we walked across it.
The car horn sounded loudly in the quiet street last night.
intransitive with adverb modifier
Thunder sounded across the sky just before the rain started.
The kitchen clock sounds every hour with a soft ring.
- bell sounds
- horn sounds
- alarm sounds
- clock sounds
- footsteps sound
Grammar Patterns
sound (intransitive): subject + sound
sound (transitive): sound + noun (bell/horn/alarm)
Usage Note
Can be used without an object (intransitive: 'the bell sounded') or with an object (transitive: 'sound the bell'). The intransitive use is more common in descriptions of routine or expected noises.
Common Mistakes
5. to cause something to make a noise, especially as a deliberate signal, warning,
to cause something to make a noise, especially as a deliberate signal, warning, or announcement — for example, sounding an alarm when there is danger, or sounding a horn before a ship departs.
The security guard sounded the alarm when he saw smoke in the building.
sound + the alarm: common warning collocation
The ship sounded its horn three times before leaving the port.
sound + horn: signal collocation
The referee sounded the whistle to end the football match.
Firefighters sounded a warning for everyone to leave the building.
sound + a warning: announcement pattern
The church bell was sounded every Sunday morning by the old caretaker.
passive: be sounded + by [agent]
- sound the alarm
- sound the horn
- sound the bell
- sound a warning
- sound the whistle
- sound the trumpet
Grammar Patterns
sound + noun (alarm/horn/whistle/warning)
Usage Note
Typically used with objects that are signal-producing devices or instruments: alarm, horn, bell, whistle, trumpet, siren. The passive form ('was sounded') is common in descriptions of repeated or scheduled events.
Common Mistakes
6. to measure how deep a sea, lake, or river is, especially using sonar or a weight
to measure how deep a sea, lake, or river is, especially using sonar or a weighted line dropped from a boat — for example, sounding a river to check if it is deep enough for a ship to pass through.
The crew sounded the river before bringing the large boat through.
sound + body of water: nautical measurement
Scientists sounded the lake to find its deepest point.
The navy ship sounded the channel to check it was safe for submarines.
sound + channel: maritime navigation collocation
Fishermen sounded the water near the shore to find good fishing spots.
Engineers sounded the harbour to plan where the new bridge would go.
- sound the depth
- sound the sea
- sound the river
- sound the lake
- sound the channel
- sound the harbour
Grammar Patterns
sound + noun (the sea/lake/river/depth)
Usage Note
This sense is almost exclusively used in nautical, geographical, or engineering contexts. The past tense 'sounded' is most common in narratives about exploration or construction.
Common Mistakes
sound — noun
1. The vibrations in the air that travel to your ears and let you hear things — suc
The vibrations in the air that travel to your ears and let you hear things — such as the cry of a bird, the hum of a machine, or the footsteps of someone walking nearby.
Sofia heard a strange sound coming from the old wooden floorboards above her head.
The library was silent except for the sound of pages turning and a clock ticking.
Cyrus woke up suddenly when a loud sound came from the street outside his window.
loud sound — collocation with adjective
Trang could hear the sound of waves crashing against the rocks far below.
hear the sound of + noun phrase
The teacher asked the children to make no sound while she read them a story.
make a sound / make no sound
- loud sound
- faint sound
- strange sound
- make a sound
- hear a sound
- silence
the complete absence of any sound
Usage Note
Uncountable when referring to sound in general ('Sound travels faster in water than in air'). Countable when referring to a specific noise ('A strange sound woke me up').
Common Mistakes
2. The process of capturing audio — such as music, speech, or sound effects — and p
The process of capturing audio — such as music, speech, or sound effects — and preparing it for films, television programmes, albums, or other broadcast media.
Gita works in sound for a major film studio in Los Angeles.
works in sound — job domain
The sound on this live concert recording is much clearer than the studio version.
Hugo studied sound engineering at a college in London before joining the BBC.
sound engineering — technical field
Poor sound can ruin a good film, even if the acting and story are excellent.
- sound engineer
- sound design
- sound recording
- sound system
- work in sound
- audio
more technical term for recorded or transmitted sound
Usage Note
Uncountable; often appears in compound nouns like 'sound design', 'sound editor', 'sound engineer'. Common in film, television, and music industry contexts.
3. The level of loudness or the audio quality produced by a television, radio, comp
The level of loudness or the audio quality produced by a television, radio, computer, or other electronic device when playing audio or video content.
Hari turned up the sound on the television so his grandmother could hear the news.
turn up / turn down the sound
The sound on this old DVD player keeps cutting out during the loud action scenes.
Please adjust the sound — the dialogue is too quiet and the music too loud.
adjust the sound — volume control
Anna prefers watching films with the original language sound rather than a dubbed version.
- turn up the sound
- turn down the sound
- sound quality
- adjust the sound
- sound goes out
Usage Note
Commonly used with verbs like 'turn up', 'turn down', 'adjust', 'cut out'. Do not confuse with sense 1 (an audible event) — sense 3 specifically refers to the settings or output of electronic equipment.
Common Mistakes
4. The distinctive quality or style of music that identifies a particular musician,
The distinctive quality or style of music that identifies a particular musician, band, or group — their signature way of playing, singing, or arranging their songs.
The band's sound has changed a lot since they got a new guitarist last year.
band's sound — possessive
Zola loves the smooth jazz sound of the quartet that plays downtown every Friday.
Critics praised the album for its fresh, energetic sound that blends old and new styles.
adjective + sound — describing musical style
Every singer works hard to develop a unique sound that sets them apart from others.
Fans say the group's early sound was rougher but more exciting than their recent work.
- their sound
- signature sound
- band's sound
- unique sound
- early sound
Usage Note
Countable (singular) — typically used with a possessive or qualifying adjective ('their sound', 'a heavy metal sound'). Often describes evolution or comparison within a musician's career.
5. The general idea or feeling that you get about someone or something based on wha
The general idea or feeling that you get about someone or something based on what people say or what you have read — even when you have little direct experience of it yourself.
From her letter, the sound of it was that Lotte was happy with her new job.
by the sound of it — fixed phrase
By the sound of the manager's speech, the company plans to hire more people soon.
I have never met her, but the sound of her from your stories seems friendly.
The sound of the report suggests the bridge repairs will take at least six months.
the sound of + report/letter/news — impression from text
- the sound of it
- the sound of things
- by the sound of it
- the sound of the letter
- the sound of the report
- impression
the feeling or opinion you get; 'sound' is more informal and implies an auditory or text-based source
- idea
more general; 'the sound of it' gives a particular nuance of second-hand knowledge
Usage Note
Frequently appears in the fixed expression 'by the sound of it/things' meaning 'based on what one hears or reads'. Only used with the definite article ('the sound of...'). Not used with indefinite articles or in plural form.
Common Mistakes
6. A narrow sea channel that links one large area of sea to another, often found be
A narrow sea channel that links one large area of sea to another, often found between the coast and a nearby island, or a long bay that reaches inland.
The ferry crossed the sound between the two islands in about forty-five minutes.
cross the sound — common verb
Fishermen often anchor their boats in the protected sound during the winter storms.
The sound separates the mainland from a large island that lies about five miles west.
Marine biologists study the whales that swim through the sound every spring.
through the sound — preposition collocation
- across the sound
- cross the sound
- through the sound
- Puget Sound
- Long Island Sound
Usage Note
Often capitalised as part of a proper place name, e.g. 'Puget Sound', 'Long Island Sound'. In this sense the word is a geographical term and not interchangeable with 'strait' (which is narrower) or 'bay' (which may be enclosed).
To enjoy talking so much that you do not listen to others.
Maya talks for hours because she loves the sound of her own voice.
Does Brian ever listen, or does he just like the sound of his own voice?
Close enough to hear something.
We bought a cottage within sound of the ocean waves.
Is your apartment within sound of the train station?
sound — adjective
1. in a state where something is not broken, damaged, or decayed — for example, a b
in a state where something is not broken, damaged, or decayed — for example, a building with solid walls, a piece of fruit without rot, or a body free of illness.
The wooden floor in the old cottage was still sound after sixty years.
collocation: sound + noun for physical condition
Doctors said the patient's heart and lungs were completely sound after the surgery.
Bao checked the roof after the typhoon and found it sound.
The fruit looked sound on the outside but was rotten inside.
contrast between appearance and condition
Before buying a used car, Cyrus always checks whether the engine is sound.
- sound body
- sound mind
- sound structure
- sound condition
- sound health
- physically sound
- structurally sound
Usage Note
Commonly used with nouns describing body parts (heart, lungs, bones), building parts (foundation, structure), or objects (engine, roof, floor).
Common Mistakes
2. in a strong financial position, making it unlikely to fail or lose value — used
in a strong financial position, making it unlikely to fail or lose value — used of businesses, investments, or economic plans.
The bank remained sound through the recession and kept every branch open.
collocation: sound + financial institution
A sound investment strategy protects your savings even when the market falls.
Tanvi's financial advisor recommended moving the money into a sound fund.
The company's balance sheet showed it was financially sound despite the losses.
adverb pattern: financially sound
Lauren invested only in sound businesses with a long track record.
- financially sound
- sound economy
- sound investment
- sound business
- sound banking
- sound financial position
- sound strategy
- stable
broader — can describe emotional, political, or structural stability
- secure
emphasises safety from loss or risk
- solid
less formal; suggests reliability
- profitable
narrower — only about making profit, not overall health
Usage Note
Frequently used with adverbs like 'financially', 'economically'. Subject is typically an organization (bank, company, fund) or an abstract noun (investment, economy, strategy).
Common Mistakes
3. based on reasonable thinking or good judgment — for example, sound advice that y
based on reasonable thinking or good judgment — for example, sound advice that you can trust, or a sound argument that is logically valid.
The lawyer gave Élise some sound advice about how to handle the dispute.
collocation: sound advice / sound reasoning
Jude made a sound decision when he chose to continue his studies.
The committee rejected the plan because it was not based on sound reasoning.
Linh offered several sound reasons for changing the office layout.
There was a sound argument for moving the school to a safer location.
pattern: there + be + a sound argument for + noun/-ing form
- sound advice
- sound reasoning
- sound judgment
- sound argument
- sound decision
- sound policy
- sound principle
- sound basis
- sensible
more common in everyday conversation about practical choices
- logical
emphasises formal reasoning; less about practical wisdom
- reasonable
broader — can also describe people, not just ideas
- valid
more technical; used for arguments, points, or reasoning
- unsound
direct opposite for logic and judgment
- flawed
suggests a defect in the reasoning
- irrational
stronger; contrary to reason entirely
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (HEALTHY): this sense applies to ideas, reasons, plans, and advice, not to physical objects or body parts. Commonly followed by 'reasoning', 'argument', 'judgment', 'advice'.
Common Mistakes
4. able to be relied on because of solid knowledge, skill, or experience — used of
able to be relied on because of solid knowledge, skill, or experience — used of a person, organization, or their work.
The school hired a sound lawyer to handle the contract negotiations.
collocation: sound + professional role
Sade is a sound teacher who explains difficult topics clearly.
You should get a second opinion from a sound engineer before approving the design.
The clinic's research team is sound and produces reliable data every year.
A sound technician checked all the equipment before the concert began.
distinguish from 'sound' as noise-noun; 'sound engineer/technician' is a profession
- sound lawyer
- sound engineer
- sound technician
- sound teacher
- sound professional
- sound reputation
- reliable
more general; can describe people, machines, or information
- competent
focuses on having sufficient skill
- trustworthy
emphasises honesty and dependability
- capable
focuses on ability to do a job well
- incompetent
lacking the necessary skill or knowledge
- unreliable
cannot be depended on
Usage Note
Frequently modifies job roles (sound engineer, sound lawyer, sound teacher) or teams/companies. Distinguish from sense 3 (SENSIBLE): this sense is about the person's competence and reliability, while sense 3 is about the quality of the ideas themselves.
Common Mistakes
5. free from moral fault, harm, or objectionable qualities — used of actions, polic
free from moral fault, harm, or objectionable qualities — used of actions, policies, or practices that are considered acceptable.
The charity's use of donations was ethically sound and transparent.
adverb pattern: ethically / morally sound
The board decided the marketing campaign was not sound because it targeted children unfairly.
pattern: not sound because + unethical reason
Environmental groups argued that the mining plan was not sound for the local ecosystem.
pattern: sound for + noun
The school's approach to discipline is strict but sound for students' development.
Cyrus refused to invest in companies whose practices were not environmentally sound.
- environmentally sound
- ethically sound
- morally sound
- ecologically sound
- sound practice
- sound policy
- sound approach
- acceptable
broader; can describe quality, behaviour, or standards
- defensible
suggests one can justify the action against criticism
- legitimate
carries a stronger sense of legal or official approval
- right
simpler; more direct but less precise
- unsound
general opposite for policies or practices
- harmful
focuses on causing damage or injury
- objectionable
stronger; likely to be disagreed with by many
Usage Note
Commonly modified by adverbs like 'ethically', 'morally', 'environmentally', 'ecologically'. The subject is typically an action, policy, practice, or method. Distinguish from sense 3 (SENSIBLE): this sense focuses on moral or social acceptability, not logical correctness.
Common Mistakes
6. used to express that you like something, agree with it, or have a positive opini
used to express that you like something, agree with it, or have a positive opinion of it — for example, calling a suggestion 'sound' as a sign of support.
Joaquín gave the new marketing plan a sound review at the staff meeting.
collocation: sound review / sound report
"We will meet at nine." "Sound," replied Tanvi with a nod.
informal single-word response meaning 'good' or 'agreed'
The supervisor said Lauren's performance was sound and praised her progress.
Bao's proposal received a sound response from the entire team.
The committee gave the project a sound vote of confidence.
- sound review
- sound report
- sound response
- sound recommendation
- sound vote
- favourable
more formal; common in written evaluations and official contexts
- positive
broader; can describe attitudes, trends, or feedback
- good
simpler everyday alternative, less specific in nuance
- approving
focuses on expressing agreement specifically
- unfavourable
direct opposite, common in reviews and evaluations
- negative
broader opposite for feedback or reactions
- critical
suggests detailed disapproval rather than simple rejection
Usage Note
Primarily used in spoken or informal written contexts. Distinguish from sense 3 (SENSIBLE): sense 6 is about expressing approval of someone or something, while sense 3 describes the quality of reasoning itself. In sense 6, 'sound' can often be replaced with 'good', 'positive', or 'favourable'.
7. describes sleep that is deep, uninterrupted, and completely restful — the type o
describes sleep that is deep, uninterrupted, and completely restful — the type of sleep that leaves you feeling fully refreshed.
Mayumi fell into a sound sleep soon after the long flight ended.
sound + noun (sleep)
Emre woke up feeling refreshed after a sound sleep last night.
The children each had a sound sleep in their warm beds.
collocation: have a sound sleep
Hyun's doctor told him that sound sleep is important for good health.
Obi's sound sleep was broken only once by a passing car.
passive: sound sleep + was broken
- sound sleep
- a sound sleep
- have a sound sleep
- fall into a sound sleep
- enjoy a sound sleep
- deep
broader term that also describes sleep that is hard to disturb
- restful
focuses on the restorative quality of the sleep
- undisturbed
emphasises that nothing interrupted the sleep
- light
describes sleep from which one wakes easily
Grammar Patterns
sound + noun (sleep)
Usage Note
Almost always used before the noun 'sleep' (e.g. 'a sound sleep', 'sound sleep'). The adverb 'soundly' is the common predicative form: 'He slept soundly.'
Common Mistakes
8. describes a person who enters deep sleep easily, stays asleep through the night,
describes a person who enters deep sleep easily, stays asleep through the night, and is hard to rouse by noise.
Élise is a sound sleeper who rarely wakes up during the night.
sound + noun (sleeper)
Felix has been a sound sleeper since he was a small child.
Nicholas is such a sound sleeper that he did not hear the smoke alarm.
such a sound sleeper that...
Lakshmi's family calls her a sound sleeper because nothing seems to wake her.
sound sleeper + because clause
- sound sleeper
- a sound sleeper
- be a sound sleeper
- deep sleeper
alternative phrasing with the same meaning; slightly less common
- light sleeper
someone who wakes up easily at small noises or movements
Grammar Patterns
sound + noun (sleeper)
Usage Note
Only used attributively before the noun 'sleeper'. You cannot say 'He is sound' to mean he sleeps well — the full phrase 'sound sleeper' is required.
Common Mistakes
9. describes a physical punishment, verbal scolding, or competitive defeat that is
describes a physical punishment, verbal scolding, or competitive defeat that is severe, thorough, and often forceful in its impact.
Vinícius watched his team suffer a sound defeat in the championship match.
collocation: suffer a sound defeat
The old captain gave the sailor a sound beating for disobeying orders.
collocation: give + a sound beating
Evelyn received a sound scolding from her mother after she broke the vase.
Jason's team suffered a sound defeat in their final match last Saturday.
- a sound beating
- a sound defeat
- a sound thrashing
- a sound scolding
- suffer a sound defeat
- receive a sound beating
Grammar Patterns
sound + noun (beating, defeat, thrashing)
Usage Note
Collocates with nouns describing punishment, scolding, or defeat, such as 'beating', 'thrashing', 'defeat', 'drubbing', and 'scolding'. Slightly informal when used for physical punishment.
Common Mistakes
sound — adverb
1. completely and deeply — used before the adjective 'asleep' to describe a very de
completely and deeply — used before the adjective 'asleep' to describe a very deep sleep that is hard to wake from
After the long hike, Yuki was sound asleep before her head hit the pillow.
be + sound asleep for deep sleep
The babysitter found the children sound asleep on the sofa at nine o'clock.
find + someone + sound asleep
Théo tried to wake Gabriel, but Gabriel was sound asleep and did not stir.
Even the thunderstorm did not wake Jabari, who was sound asleep in his tent.
Shirin was so sound asleep that she did not hear her alarm clock ring.
so + sound asleep + that-clause
- sound asleep
- deeply
broader use — can modify many adjectives and verbs, while 'sound' is limited almost entirely to 'asleep'
- completely
wider range; 'completely asleep' is grammatically correct but less idiomatic than 'sound asleep'
- thoroughly
more formal and much broader in use; 'thoroughly asleep' is very rare
- lightly
as in 'lightly asleep' or 'light sleeper' — describes sleep that is easy to disturb
Grammar Patterns
sound + asleep
Usage Note
This adverb is almost always used before the adjective 'asleep.' Older uses such as 'sound beat' or 'sound flog' are now very rare or archaic.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- soundingnounC1
- soundlyadverbB2
- soundnessnounC1
- unsoundadjectiveC1
- soundproofadjectiveB2
- soundproofingnounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/3
All four words describe ideas, decisions, or arguments that are well-founded, but they differ in focus and context. 'Sensible' is the most practical and everyday term: a sensible decision is one that shows good judgment in real-world situations ('Buying a used car was the sensible choice'). 'Valid' is more technical and often used for logical or legal correctness: a valid argument follows the rules of reasoning or meets official requirements ('Her passport is still valid'). 'Reasonable' sits between the two — it describes something that is fair, moderate, and within normal limits ('The price seems reasonable for that location'). 'Logical' emphasises the internal consistency of an argument rather than its practical wisdom: a logical conclusion follows inevitably from the premises ('If it rains, the ground gets wet — that is logical'). In short: choose 'sensible' for everyday good choices, 'valid' for formal or rule-based correctness, 'reasonable' for fair or moderate judgments, and 'logical' for step-by-step reasoning.
Common collocations
Adverbs
- soundly
- deeply
- financially
- morally
- ethically
- environmentally
- structurally
Phrases
- make a sound
- hear a sound
- not make a sound
- the sound of it
- by the sound of it
- safe and sound
Prepositions
- in sound of
- within sound of
Etymology
The English word 'sound' comes from several different historical roots that have merged into one modern word. The noun and verb senses connected to hearing come from Latin 'sonus' (meaning 'noise' or 'a sound'), which passed through Old French 'son' into Middle English. The verb sense 'to measure water depth' comes from Old English 'sund' (meaning 'swimming' or 'sea'), related to an old Germanic verb for 'to swim'. The adjective senses come from Old English 'gesund' (meaning 'healthy' or 'uninjured'), which is related to German 'gesund' (healthy) and goes back to an ancient root meaning 'strong' or 'vigorous'. These separate origins mean that modern English 'sound' is what linguists call a homonym — several distinct words that happen to share the same spelling and pronunciation.