Definition

1. Noun:

   • Unwanted or unpleasant sound: "Noise" refers to any sound, especially when it is loud, harsh, or disruptive.
   • Irrelevant or meaningless information: In communication, "noise" can refer to data, remarks, or interference that obscures the intended message.
   • A loud outcry or protest: "Noise" can describe a public expression of complaint or dissent.
   • Electrical or acoustic interference: In technical contexts, "noise" is any unwanted signal that disturbs the transmission or processing of information.

2. Verb:

   • To make noise; to sound: The verb form means to emit a sound, often a loud or unpleasant one.
   • To spread news or rumors: An archaic or literary usage meaning to report or spread something, often a rumor.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The noise from the construction site was unbearable. (The loud, disruptive sound from the site was intolerable.)
  • There's too much noise in this data report; we need the key facts. (There is too much irrelevant information in this report.)
  • The new policy caused a lot of noise among the employees. (The policy provoked many loud complaints from the staff.)
  • I can't hear you; there's too much noise on the line. (I cannot hear you due to technical interference in our communication.)

• Verb:

  • The engine began to noise strangely. (The engine started to emit a strange sound.)
  • (Archaic) It was noised abroad that the king had fallen ill. (The rumor was spread that the king had become sick.)

Advanced Usage

• "Signal-to-noise ratio": A technical term, often used metaphorically, comparing useful information (signal) to irrelevant data (noise).

  • The discussion had a low signal-to-noise ratio, with few concrete proposals. (The talk contained little useful information among many irrelevant comments.)

• "To make a noise about something": To complain loudly or publicly about an issue.

  • Residents made a noise about the planned highway. (Residents protested vocally against the planned highway.)

• "Background noise": The constant, ambient sound in an environment.

  • I work better with some background noise, like café sounds. (I am more productive with a constant, low level of ambient sound.)

Variants and Related Words

• Noisy (adj): Making or full of a lot of noise.
  • The noisy classroom made it hard to concentrate.
• Noiseless (adj): Making little or no noise; silent.
  • The noiseless operation of the new fan is impressive.

Synonyms

• Noun: Din, racket, clamor, uproar, static (for interference), chatter (for irrelevant information).
• Verb: Roar, clamor, blare, rumble.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Noise something about/abroad: To spread news or rumors about something. (Archaic/Literary)
  • Stories of his generosity were noised about the town.

Related Idioms

• "A big noise": An important or influential person.
  • He's a big noise in the tech industry.
• "To make noises": To indicate intentions or feelings, often indirectly.
  • The company is making noises about expanding into Asia. (The company is hinting at or suggesting plans to expand.)
• "It's all noise": It's all meaningless talk or distraction without substance.
  • Ignore the criticism; it's all noise.

Noun

1. the quality of lacking any predictable order or plan
2. incomprehensibility resulting from irrelevant information or meaningless facts or remarks
   • all the noise in his speech concealed the fact that he didn't have anything to say
3. a loud outcry of protest or complaint
   • the announcement of the election recount caused a lot of noise
   • whatever it was he didn't like it and he was going to let them know by making as loud a noise as he could
4. electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication
5. the auditory experience of sound that lacks musical quality; sound that is a disagreeable auditory experience
   • modern music is just noise to me
6. sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
   • he enjoyed the street noises
   • they heard indistinct noises of people talking
   • during the firework display that ended the gala the noise reached 98 decibels

Verb

1. emit a noise