loud
loud Lexical Profile
loud Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Producing or capable of producing much noise; easily heard because of high volume or intensity.
"The sudden, loud thunderclap startled everyone in the classroom."
Clamorous, obtrusive, or overly forceful in speech, manner, or public expression.
"The committee faced loud objections from residents concerned about the new highway."
Harshly bright, garish, or ostentatious in color, pattern, or design.
"He wore a loud Hawaiian shirt patterned with neon pink flamingos."
• adverb
In a manner that produces a great deal of sound; with high volume or intensity.
"Please do not talk so loud while others are trying to study in the library."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a flat adverb, 'loud' is used primarily in informal speech and fixed expressions after verbs of speaking (e.g., 'laugh out loud', 'read loud and clear'), whereas 'loudly' is preferred in formal writing and before verbs or participles.
• Rhymes for loud
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'hlud' ('noisy, making a great sound'), derived from Proto-Germanic '*hludaz' ('heard'), which ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root '*kleu-' ('to hear'), making it a cognate with 'listen' and the Greek 'klytos' ('famous').