Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Producing a high volume of sound: Describes something that makes a lot of noise or can be heard easily from a distance.
   • Tastelessly bright or showy: Describes something, especially colors or patterns, that is unpleasantly bright, flashy, or garish.
   • Forcefully expressive: Describes a manner of speaking or an opinion that is emphatic, vehement, or insistent.

2. Adverb:

   • With a high volume: Describes the manner of producing sound at a high intensity or volume.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Sound):
  • The loud music from the party kept the neighbors awake.
  • He has a very loud voice, so you can always hear him in a crowd.
• Adjective (Appearance):
  • He wore a loud shirt covered in bright floral patterns.
  • The room was decorated in loud colors that clashed with each other.
• Adjective (Expression):
  • She was loud in her criticism of the new policy.
  • The protesters were loud and clear in their demands.
• Adverb:
  • Please don't speak so loud; the baby is sleeping.
  • The alarm rang loud, startling everyone in the building.

Advanced Usage

• "Out loud": Audibly, so that others can hear (often used with verbs like "read," "think," or "laugh").
  • She read the poem out loud to the class.
  • He laughed out loud at the joke.
• "For crying out loud": An exclamation used to express frustration, annoyance, or impatience.
  • For crying out loud, will you please be quiet!
• "Loud and clear": Very clearly and unmistakably, often regarding a message or sound.
  • I heard your instructions loud and clear.

Variants and Related Words

• Loudly (Adverb): In a loud manner. (This is the standard adverbial form).
  • The audience cheered loudly.
• Loudness (Noun): The quality or state of being loud; volume.
  • The loudness of the concert was overwhelming.
• Loudmouth (Noun, Informal): A person who talks too much or too loudly, especially in a boastful or offensive way.
  • He's known as the office loudmouth.
• Aloud (Adverb): Audibly; not silently or in a whisper.
  • He muttered the answer aloud.

Synonyms

• Adjective (Sound): Noisy, blaring, deafening, thunderous, booming.
• Adjective (Appearance): Garish, gaudy, flashy, showy, tasteless.
• Adverb: Loudly, noisily, audibly.

Antonyms

• Adjective (Sound): Quiet, soft, low, silent, faint.
• Adjective (Appearance): Subdued, muted, tasteful, conservative.
• Adverb: Quietly, softly, silently.

Related Phrases

• Actions done in a loud manner:
  • To laugh loud.
  • To complain loud and long.
• Musical Direction: In music, "loud" is often indicated by the Italian term forte.
  • Play this section loud (forte).

Adjective

1. used chiefly as a direction or description in music
   • the forte passages in the composition
2. tastelessly showy
   • a flash car
   • a flashy ring
   • garish colors
   • a gaudy costume
   • loud sport shirts
   • a meretricious yet stylish book
   • tawdry ornaments
3. characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
   • a group of loud children
   • loud thunder
   • her voice was too loud
   • loud trombones

Adverb

1. with relatively high volume
   • the band played loudly
   • she spoke loudly and angrily
   • he spoke loud enough for those at the back of the room to hear him
   • cried aloud for help