loud

adjective

ˈlau̇d 

1

a

: marked by intensity or volume of sound

loud music

b

: producing a loud sound

a loud engine

2

: clamorous, noisy

a loud crowd of people

3

: obtrusive or offensive in appearance or smell : obnoxious

… in a white linen suit and loud plaid tie …

—Alice Kaplan

loud adverb

loudly adverb

Synonyms of loud

• deafening
• ringing
• roaring
• noisy
• thunderous

Choose the Right Synonym for loud

loud, stentorian, earsplitting, raucous, strident mean marked by intensity or volume of sound.

loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

Examples of loud in a Sentence

She complained in a loud voice.

“Is the television loud enough?” “It's too loud!”

He's known for being loud and aggressive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Warning signs worth flagging to a doctor include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, severe daytime fatigue, persistent low mood, rapid heart rate and unexplained weight changes. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

The loudest role is often the easiest to coalesce around, especially for an actor who has had a big year. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 July 2026

Yes, Nolan’s tendency to make the sound editing a bit murky or a bit too loud at times while the dialogue sinks into the sonic muck, all these things are true here. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The commotion was so loud that Netanyahu left the chamber, sitting out the vote entirely. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hlūd; akin to Old High German hlūt loud, Latin inclutus famous, Greek klytos, Sanskrit śṛṇoti he hears

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing loud

• for crying out loud
• loud and clear
• loud-hailer
• out loud
• think aloud/out loud

Rhymes for loud

• bowed
• browed
• cloud
• cowed
• crowd
• dowd
• ploughed
• plowed
• proud
• shroud
• sowed
• stroud

Kids Definition

loud

adjective

ˈlau̇d 

1

a

: marked by a high volume of sound

b

: producing a loud sound

2

: noisy sense 1

3

: unpleasantly bold or bright in color or pattern

a loud plaid

loud adverb

loudly adverb

loudness noun