familiar sound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "familiar sound" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a sound that is recognized or known to someone, often evoking memories or associations. Example: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, I heard a familiar sound that reminded me of my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So, the next time you're in Seoul and hear the familiar sound of sugary K-pop sounding from every which direction, don't roll your eyes.

Huffington Post

It is a familiar sound.

The Economist

"That's a familiar sound," says my mother.

The New York Times

Even the terminology has a familiar sound.

The New Yorker

It is a familiar sound in Tianjin.

The Guardian

It's an old, familiar sound that hasn't lost its effect.

The New York Times - Arts

Lastly comes the familiar sound of snouts returning to the trough for another feed.

The Economist

They arrived at Rockaway Park to the familiar sound of planes flying low overhead.

The New York Times

In the ticket hall, there was a pleasant and familiar sound.

Independent

And they will also miss the familiar sound of his name.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They added string effects replacing the all-too-familiar sound normally associated with accelerating in racing games.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "familiar sound", ensure that the context provides enough information for the reader to understand why the sound is familiar. What makes it recognizable in this specific situation?

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a sound is familiar without providing any context. The effectiveness of the phrase depends on the reader's ability to understand the sound's significance or origin. Instead, provide details that evoke the sound and its associations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "familiar sound" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "familiar" modifies the noun "sound". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It often acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a recognizable auditory experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "familiar sound" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression across various contexts. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, highlighting its function to describe a recognizable auditory experience, often evoking memories and associations. Predominantly found in News & Media, its register is generally neutral, making it versatile for different writing styles. For more impact, provide context to why the sound is familiar to the listener or reader. Consider alternatives like "recognizable noise" or "well-known tone" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

known sound

Direct synonym using a more basic adjective.

recognizable noise

Replaces 'sound' with 'noise', implying a potentially unwanted or disruptive familiar audio.

recognisable sound

UK spelling variation of "recognizable sound".

well-known tone

Substitutes 'familiar' with 'well-known' and 'sound' with 'tone', which may imply a musical quality.

distinctive audio

Uses 'distinctive' to emphasize the uniqueness and recognizability of the 'audio'.

characteristic sound

Using "characteristic" highlights the sound as a defining feature.

signature sound

Implies the sound is uniquely associated with a particular person, place, or thing.

common resonance

Replaces "familiar" with "common" and "sound" with "resonance", suggesting a shared or typical quality.

customary noise

Using "customary" instead of "familiar" and "noise" instead of "sound", referring to something habitually heard.

typical sound

Replacing "familiar" with "typical", indicating that the sound is representative of a certain category or situation.

FAQs

What does "familiar sound" mean?

A "familiar sound" refers to a sound that is easily recognized or known due to previous experience or frequent exposure. It often evokes memories or associations.

What can I say instead of "familiar sound"?

You can use alternatives like "recognizable noise", "well-known tone", or "distinctive audio" depending on the context.

How can I make the use of "familiar sound" more impactful in my writing?

Provide specific details about the sound and its associations to create a stronger connection with the reader. Instead of just saying "familiar sound", describe the sound and explain why it is familiar to the character or narrator.

Is "familiar sound" formal or informal?

The phrase "familiar sound" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.