loud
Plurallouds (some meanings)
- 1Making a lot of sound, not quiet.
Like a fire truck siren passing right next to you.
The party next door was so loud we couldn't sleep.
A loud crash came from the kitchen.
Oppositequiet
Note
- 2
- 3Acting in a bold, showy way that is not quiet or shy.
Like the one person at a party everyone notices right away.
Even his texts are loud, full of bragging and big claims.
She has a loud, bossy way of running every meeting.
UsageThis is usually not a kind thing to say about someone.
Similarbrash, brassy, flamboyant, showy
Oppositereserved, quiet, subdued, understated
Note
Less common meanings
- 4Too bright or colorful in a way that looks tasteless.
Like throwing every bright paint color onto one wall.
She picked a loud pink dress covered in green spots.
The car had a loud paint job that hurt your eyes.
UsageUsed for clothes and colors: a loud shirt.
Similargaudy, garish, flashy, lurid, showy
Oppositemuted, subdued, sober, understated
Note
- 5Strong, high-quality marijuana.
He only smokes loud, never the cheap stuff.
They brought some serious loud to the party.
UsageSay loud or the loud, usually without a.
Note
- 6A very noisy sound, or the noisy part of a sound.
A good song needs the soft as well as the loud.
The drummer played with real louds and softs, not one flat volume.
UsageOften said with soft: the louds and softs of a song.
Note
- 7
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
From Old English hlūd, meaning "loud." It goes back to an old root meaning "to hear."
Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Loud derives from Old English hlūd. en.wiktionary.org
- Old English hlūd means loud. en.wiktionary.org
- The word ultimately derives from a root meaning to hear. en.wiktionary.org
From Old English hlūde, meaning "loudly." It is related to the other etymology of "loud."
Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The adverb loud derives from Old English hlūde, meaning “loudly.” en.wiktionary.org
- This origin is related to the other etymology of loud. en.wiktionary.org