From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsoundsound1 /saʊnd/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 [countable, uncountable]SOUND something that you hear, or what can be heard SYN noise There were strange sounds coming from the next room.sound of She could hear the sound of voices. a vowel sound2 [uncountable] a) TCBAMTthe sound produced by a television or radio programme, a film etc We apologize for the loss of sound during that report. a sound engineer b) AMLOUD/NOISYthe loudness of a television, radio, film etc SYN volumeturn the sound down/up Turn the sound down a little, will you?3 [countable usually singular, uncountable] the particular quality that a singer’s or group’s music has We’re trying to develop a harder, funkier sound.4 → by/from the sound of it/things5 → not like the sound of something6 → sounds7 [countable usually singular] a narrow area of water that connects two larger areas of waterCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesloudThere was a loud creaking sound and the branch snapped.faint/soft (=not loud)The sound was so faint I wasn’t sure what it was at first.deafening (=very loud)The sound of the waterfall was deafening.distinctive/unmistakableSuddenly from below came the unmistakable sound of gunfire.a strange soundI heard a strange sound coming from outside.a familiar soundSuddenly she heard the familiar sound of the key being turned in the front door.a distant sound (=a long way away)All seemed quiet, but for the distant sound of police sirens.a muffled sound (=not clear)Now there were muffled sounds of movement.a banging/tearing/hissing etc soundThere was an odd buzzing sound in her ears.verbshear a soundShe heard the sound of a car starting.make a soundThe machine made a strange hissing sound.not make a sound (=be completely quiet)He lay still and didn’t make a sound.a sound comes from somewhereThe sounds seemed to be coming from the study below.sound travelsLight travels faster than sound.sound carries (=can be heard some distance away)I knew the sound of the horn would would carry for miles.a sound stopsThe sound stopped suddenly.a sound dies away (=stops gradually)I listened until the sound had died away completely.COMMON ERRORS ► Don't say 'a strong sound'. Say a loud sound. THESAURUSa high soundsqueak a very short high sound or cryI heard the squeak of his shoes on the tiled floor.Annie gave a squeak of surprise.creak a long high sound that something makes when someone opens it, walks on it, sits on it etc – used especially about a door, wooden floor, bed, or stairsthe creak of floorboardsThe door opened with a creak.screech a loud, long, unpleasantly high sound – used especially about someone’s voice, or about brakes, tyres etcThere was a screech of tyres followed by a bang.She let out a screech of horror.beep (also bleep British English) a high electronic sound that a machine sends out, especially in order to attract someone’s attentionYou’ll hear a bleep when the photocopier’s finished printing.a quiet soundhum a quiet low continuous sound, especially from electrical equipment, traffic, an engine, or people’s conversationThe only sound was the faint hum of the air-conditioning unit.He could hear the hum of distant traffic.rustle a continuous quiet sound from papers, leaves, or clothes when they rub togetherShe heard the rustle of dried leaves behind her.the rustle of silk dressesmurmur a quiet low continuous sound, especially from people’s voices that are far awayThe murmur of voices died away.They spoke in a low murmur.rumble a series of long low sounds, especially from big guns, traffic, or thunderI heard a rumble of thunder.the low rumble of a train approachingmade by a liquidsplash the sound that a liquid makes when something hits it, or when it hits against another thingShe jumped into the pool with a big splash.the splash of the waves against the rocksgurgle the low sound that water makes when it flows gently over or through somethingthe gurgle of a streamShe listened to the gurgle as the water drained out of the bath.plop the sudden short sound when something is dropped into a liquidKate dropped the ice into her glass with a plop.made by air or gashiss a continuous high sound when air or gas comes out of somethingThere was a hiss of steam from the coffee machine.Workers reported hearing a loud hiss moments before the explosion.made by an explosion, gun etcbang a short sudden loud noise made by a gun, bomb etcThere was a loud bang as the bomb exploded.The firework went off with a bang.boom a very loud sound from an explosion, which you can hear for several seconds after it beginsThe building exploded into rubble with a loud boom.The boom of artillery fire echoed in the distance.roar a continuous very loud noise that gets louder and continues for a long timeThe light was followed by the deafening roar of explosions.the roar of the ship’s gunsmade by things hitting other thingsbang a loud sound caused especially when something hard or heavy hits something elseI heard a loud bang and rushed out to see what had happened.He slammed the door shut with a bang.crash a very loud sound caused when something hits something else, especially when damage is causedThe tray of dishes fell to the floor with a crash.I heard an enormous crash outside our house, and I went to see what had happened.thud a quiet low sound made when a heavy object falls down onto surfaceThere was a dull thud as the box hit the floor.His head hit the ground with a sickening thud.thump a dull loud sound made when a heavy object hits something elseThere was a loud thump as Eddie threw Luther back against the wall.clink a short ringing sound made when two glass, metal, or china objects hit each otherthe clink of champagne glassesThe clink of cutlery could be heard in the restaurant.tinkle the pleasant sound that is made by light pieces of glass or metal hitting each other repeatedlyHe listened to the faint tinkle of cow bells in the distance.jingle the sound of small metal objects being shaken togetherthe jingle of her braceletsthe jingle of keysrattle a short repeated sound made when things hit against each other – used especially when part of something is loose and is hitting against somethingThere was a strange rattle coming from the engine.the rattle of the trolley
Examples from the Corpus
sound• The ground mist clung closely to the hedgerows, discouraging the birds and damping down all sound.• the fascinating sights and sounds of Marrakesh• What you hear will incorporate high-fidelity sound, speech synthesis, and speech recognition.• Something's wrong with the TV - you can see the pictures, but there's no sound.• There's no sound coming from the TV.• Some of these planes can travel faster than the speed of sound.• The only sound in the house was the ticking of the clock.• What's that funny rattling sound coming from the back of the car?• She liked the sizzling sound of the water as it hit the stones when some one threw it from the bucket.• From the kitchen came the sound of pots thrown to the floor.• From the next room came the sound of laughter.• Colourful flashing lights synchronize the sound.• But there were neither apologies nor regrets, and the air rang to the sound of hundreds of cheers.• a vowel soundsound of• Just then, we heard the sound of voices outside.turn the sound down/up• You can test this by turning the sound down the first time you look at the programme.• Now he turned the sound down and watched the action on the screen.• She turns the sound down low but the picture goes on flickering.• They turn the sound up real loud.• One is to turn the sound down and tune into the radio commentary.• Can you predict the language you will hear when you turn the sound up? soundsound2 ●●● S1 W2 verb 1 seem [linking verb]SEEM if something or someone sounds good, bad, strange etc, that is how they seem to you when you hear about them or read about themsound adj Istanbul sounds really exciting. The whole story sounded very odd. $80 sounds about right for a decent hotel room.sound noun British English That sounds a good idea.sound like Nick sounds like a nice guy.it sounds as if/as though It sounds to me as if he needs professional help.it sounds like informal It sounds like you had a good time on your trip. I’ll come over to Richmond and take you out for dinner. How does that sound (=used to ask someone what they think of your suggestion)? faraway places with strange-sounding names2 noise [linking verb] if a noise sounds like a particular thing, that is how it seems to you when you hear itsound like To Thomas, her laugh sounded horribly like a growl. I heard what sounded like fireworks.sound adj Her breathing sounded very loud.(it) sounds as if/as though The banging sounded as if it was coming from next door.(it) sounds like informal It sounds like the dog wants to be let out.3 voice [linking verb]SHOW A FEELING OR ATTITUDESHOW/BE A SIGN OF if someone sounds tired, happy, sad etc, that is how they seem to you when you hear their voicesound adj Are you okay? You sound tired. Josie didn’t sound very keen when I spoke to her. Her voice sounded very young.sound as if/as though You sound as if you’ve got a cold.sound like informal She sounded like she’d been crying.sound like You sound just like my mother (=the things you say, opinions you express etc are just like the things my mother says).4 warning [transitive] to publicly give a warning or tell people to be careful Several earlier studies had sounded similar warnings.sound a note of caution/warning I would, however, sound a note of caution. Now it is an American economist who is sounding the alarm.5 make a noise [intransitive, transitive]SOUND if something such as a horn or bell sounds, or if you sound it, it makes a noise The bell sounded for dinner. Sound your horn to warn other drivers. She was unable to sound the alarm. 6 pronounce [transitive] technicalSL to make the sound of a letter in a word The ‘s’ in ‘island’ is not sounded.Grammar Sound is usually passive in this meaning.7 measure depth [transitive] technicalTMHEO to measure the depth of the sea, a lake etc → soundingsGRAMMAR: Linking verbsSound is a linking verb. This type of verb links the subject of the sentence with an adjective or noun: That sounds ridiculous.It sounds a good idea. → sound off → sound somebody/something ↔ out→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
sound• If gas levels get too high, a warning bell will sound.• He sounds a pretty strange person.• $50 sounds about right.• Your system sounds fine and will certainly support either a Coral Beauty or a Bicolor Angel.• Jen sounded kind of tired on the phone.• "We're all going clubbing tomorrow night." "That sounds like fun."• It sounds like the conceit of a Disney movie.• It sounds like the Sugarhill Gang must still be in Tokyo.• Another process boils off the alcohol, which sounds painful.• That sounds pretty good to me.• I called my dad and told him what has happened. He sounded really angry.• The trip sounds really exciting.• Istanbul sounds really exciting.• Several earlier studies had sounded similar warnings.• She had sounded so nice on the phone, not knowledgeable but pleasantly enthusiastic.• I know that sounds very childish and naive, but think about it.How does that sound• Just something to distinguish hair f nail manic facial. How does that sound to you?• So why not bluff and come in from the left? How does that sound to you?(it) sounds like• That sounds like a bit of a stretch to me.• Although both males call, they do so in such close unison that it sounds like a single call.• It's the same sort of sound but much lower in volume and pitch - it almost sounds like a stomach rumbling.• This band sounds like an ulcer, a festering sore, a self-consuming but none the less exhilarating secretion of bile.• Homestead, it sounds like home.• A beautiful dish, it is more or less what it sounds like, sticky rice wrapped in green striated lotus leaves.• But it sounds like there is something wrong with John's breathing.• Unfortunately, it sounds like yours is in the latter category.sounding the alarm• Stewart dispatched a column sounding the alarm.• They have lost no time in sounding the alarm about an impending famine, which they say threatens 1.9m people.• Several health officials began sounding the alarm about the hazards of the sun's rays.• The Big Three began sounding the alarm in a big way when January sales figures were reported.• When it comes to sounding the alarm, they have an ally in the forest clearings.sound the alarm• It is placed in your child's seat and if he moves off it, the pressure-sensitive cushion sounds the alarm.• Stewart dispatched a column sounding the alarm.• Then, coming to herself again, she pressed the stud at her neck and sounded the alarm.• Volcanologist Pierce Brosnan and small-town mayor Linda Hamilton sound the alarm.• When the First Lady looked in on him and discovered he was missing, she panicked and sounded the alarm.• He was one of the earliest to sound the alarm about the fate of churches and their contents.• The Big Three began sounding the alarm in a big way when January sales figures were reported.• When it comes to sounding the alarm, they have an ally in the forest clearings.soundsound3 ●●○ W3 adjective 1 well-judgedLOGICAL sensible or good, and likely to produce the right results OPP poor The book is full of sound advice. a man of great integrity and sound judgementecologically/ideologically/theoretically etc sound environmentally sound farming practices a sound investment2 person British English a) someone who is sound can be depended on to make good decisions and give good advicesound on He’s very sound on matters of law. b) informal someone who is sound is a good person and can be trusted – used especially by young people My mum’s sound. She’d never throw me out.3 thoroughCOMPLETE [only before noun] complete and thorough a sound understanding of money and banking systems a sound knowledge of English He has a sound grasp of European history.4 in good conditionCONDITION/STATE OF something in good condition and not damaged in any way OPP unsound The floor was completely sound. Is the building structurally sound?sound as a bell British English spoken (=in perfect condition)5 healthyHEALTHY physically or mentally healthy OPP unsoundof sound mind law (=not mentally ill)sound as a bell British English spoken (=in perfect health)6 sleepSLEEP sound sleep is deep and peacefulsound sleeper (=someone who always sleeps well) —soundness noun [uncountable]COLLOCATIONSnounssound adviceHe gave us some sound advice.sound judgmentHe was beginning to rely on her sound judgment.a sound reasonBoth these buyers have sound reasons for their choice.a sound investmentProperty is usually a sound investment.a sound policyThe problems of industry will only be solved by sound economic policies.a sound basisSometimes friendship is a sound basis for a good marriage.adverbsenvironmentally/ecologically soundThe government encourages environmentally sound management of the countryside.ideologically sound (=good, according to a set of beliefs)It was the ideologically sound thing to do.scientifically/technically soundAre these studies scientifically sound? Examples from the Corpus
sound• Throughout the eighties some officials displayed a tendency to overdo the latest idea, often itself not particularly sound.• I believe that this trend will spread and that it is based on very sound educational grounds.• There may on occasions be sound educational reasons for adopting a style of interaction in which unfocused questions predominate.• A tense atmosphere is easy to create on stage with some sinister music and creepy sound effects.• The company offers sound financial advice to individuals and businesses.• Is recycling glass a sound idea?• Pragmatism as a conception of law does not stipulate which of these various visions of good community are sound or attractive.• There is no sound reason for the closure of this factory.• The importance of sound recruitment and selection can not therefore be overstressed.• At one minute before the start a sound signal is made.• Because he's sound, thought Mayta.• The ear picks up sound waves and converts them into signals that it sends to the brain.ecologically/ideologically/theoretically etc sound• They consider that unless the farming methods are tackled, no clothing industry can claim that its product is ecologically sound.• Working with nature is clearly practical, as well as ecologically sound.• They're ideologically sound, although sometimes they don't look it, know what I mean?• It's smart, effective, ecologically sound and it does pop in such a thirst-rousing way.• Such analysis provides is with a relatively precise, and theoretically sound methodology for dealing with perceivable changes in character.• It was an Apple Macintosh universe, aggressively informal, ecologically sound, physically fit.• Governing bodies in Oakland, San Francisco and Berkeley approved resolutions urging the company to adopt ecologically sound procurement policies.• The first criticism is that, although key settlement policies are theoretically sound, they have been poorly implemented in practice.sound as a bell• He's good, he's brilliant, and he's probably as sound as a bell.• My mind, once sound as a bell, became muddled and confused.• He considered her sound as a bell in most ways, apart from this mad preoccupation with Nicandra's social life.sound as a bell• He's good, he's brilliant, and he's probably as sound as a bell.• My mind, once sound as a bell, became muddled and confused.• He considered her sound as a bell in most ways, apart from this mad preoccupation with Nicandra's social life.sound sleeper• I do not wake in the night, I am a sound sleeper.soundsound4 adverb → sound asleepOrigin sound1 (1200-1300) Old French son, from Latin sonus sound2 1. (1200-1300) Old French soner, from Latin sonare, from sonus; → SOUND12. (1300-1400) Old French sonder, from sonde “line for measuring the depth of water” sound3 Old English gesund 