Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Making or having a sound as specified: Used as a combining form to describe the type of sound something produces.
   • Having volume or resonance; sonorous: Describing a sound that is full, deep, or impressive.
   • Appearing to be as specified; usually used as a combining form: Describing the impression given by something's appearance or language, often superficial.

2. Noun:

   • The act of measuring the depth of water: Typically done with a weighted line (sounding line) or other device.
   • A measurement of depth obtained by such an act.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • The harsh-sounding noise from the machine was unbearable. (Describes the type of sound.)
  • The fine-sounding promises of the politician convinced many voters. (Describes impressive but potentially superficial language.)
  • The sounding brass echoed through the hall. (Describes a deep, resonant sound.)

• Noun:

  • The sailor took a sounding to ensure the ship was in safe waters. (Refers to the act of measuring depth.)
  • The sounding indicated a depth of thirty meters. (Refers to the specific depth measurement.)

Advanced Usage

• As a combining form (-sounding): Used to create compound adjectives describing auditory quality or superficial impression.
  • A sweet-sounding melody. (A melody that sounds sweet.)
  • High-sounding rhetoric. (Language that sounds impressive but may lack substance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sound (verb/noun): The root word. As a verb: to measure depth, to produce noise. As a noun: vibrations perceived by hearing.
• Sounder (noun): A device or person that measures depth (sounds).
• Sounding line / lead line (noun): A weighted line used to measure water depth.

Synonyms

• Adjective (resonant): Sonorous, resonant, ringing.
• Adjective (superficial): Ostensible, seeming, apparent.
• Noun (measurement): Depth measurement, bathymetry, fathoming.

Related Phrases

• To take soundings: To measure depths; figuratively, to gather opinions or information cautiously.
  • The company is taking soundings before launching the new product. (The company is gathering preliminary feedback.)

Idioms

• To strike a sounding blow: To deliver a powerful, resonant, or significant strike (literal or figurative).
  • His speech struck a sounding blow against injustice. (His speech was a powerful attack on injustice.)
• Sounding brass: A metaphor for something that makes a loud, impressive noise but is hollow or insubstantial. (From the biblical reference "sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal").
  • His flattery was just sounding brass, with no real feeling behind it. (His praise was empty and insincere.)

Adjective

1. making or having a sound as specified; used as a combining form
   • harsh-sounding
2. having volume or deepness
   • sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal
   • the sounding cataract haunted me like a passion- Wordsworth
3. appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
   • left their clothes dirty looking
   • a most disagreeable looking character
   • angry-looking
   • liquid-looking
   • severe-looking policemen on noble horses
   • fine-sounding phrases
   • taken in by high-sounding talk

Noun

1. the act of measuring depth of water (usually with a sounding line)
2. a measure of the depth of water taken with a sounding line