hell of a noise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hell of a noise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a loud or disruptive sound, often in an informal or colloquial context. Example: "When the thunder struck, it made one hell of a noise that shook the entire house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

My car was making a hell of a noise.

The Guardian

They were a three-piece who made a hell of a noise, and were genuinely, densely psychedelic.

The Guardian - Music

It did make a hell of a noise, and we listened to the reverberations in the silence of the night.

The New Yorker

It's true that it was light and easy to move and reload quickly but it made one hell of a noise.

The Guardian - Film

And it was a similar adrenalin rush in Quebec City where we tore down the old wooden toboggan run on the Terrasse Dufferin at 55mph, making one hell of a noise.

Independent

Photograph: Jeff Gross/Getty Images Updated at 7.09pm BST 6.53pm BST 90 min +4: This stadium is crammed with Argentinian fans, and they are making one hell of a noise.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Whatever you do, there is going to be a hell of a lot of noise in the data.

The Guardian

Wanton Bishops might make a hell of a lot more noise than Jessy Lanza but they have sound problems of their own: specifically, the fact that a hoary old rock band are growling away on the stage downstairs while they play, making this show something akin to a real time battle of the bands.

The Guardian - Music

While those Christian extremists (and that's exactly what they are) are a minority, they make a hell of a lot more noise than their more moderate counterparts, which puts all Christians at risk of looking like a bunch of raving lunatics.

Vice

"My view is the whole proceeding will be snarled up in legal objections of one kind or another and I just really repeat my point: do we want the greatest city on earth, parts of it, to be transformed into a hell of airport noise?

The Guardian

As the deafening response to my work demonstrates, there is a hell of a lot of clamouring noise in society about what a person with a body like mine should and shouldn't be doing with it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hell of a noise" to emphasize the loudness and disruptiveness of a sound in informal contexts, particularly when expressing annoyance or surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "hell of a noise" in formal or professional writing. Opt for alternatives like "significant disturbance" or "loud noise" to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hell of a noise" functions as an intensifier followed by a noun. It emphasizes the significant or excessive nature of the noise. Ludwig confirms the usage in diverse contexts, indicating that the expression adds emphasis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hell of a noise" is an informal phrase used to emphasize the loudness and disruptiveness of a sound. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable, though more suited for casual contexts. Its primary function is to express annoyance or surprise. While frequently found in news and media, it should be avoided in formal writing, opting for more neutral alternatives. Remember to reserve its usage to where colloquial expressiveness is best suited. Alternatives such as "deafening racket" can be used instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deafening racket

Replaces "hell of a" with "deafening" to strongly emphasize loudness, while "racket" is a synonym for "noise".

terrible din

"Terrible din" emphasizes the unpleasant and disturbing nature of the noise.

awful clamor

"Awful clamor" suggests a loud, confused noise, adding a layer of chaos.

tremendous commotion

Uses "commotion" to imply a disturbance, which can be auditory, and "tremendous" to intensify the level.

ear-splitting sound

Focuses on the high volume and painful quality of the noise.

unbearable racket

"Unbearable racket" communicates that the noise is extremely irritating and difficult to tolerate.

cacophonous uproar

Emphasizes discordance and disturbance through a combination of "cacophonous" and "uproar".

deafening cacophony

Similar to "cacophonous uproar", but replaces "uproar" with "cacophony" to highlight a mix of harsh, discordant sounds.

almighty roar

Replaces "noise" with "roar", suggesting a deep, loud, and continuous sound.

intense reverberation

Replaces "noise" with "reverberation" focusing on how sound is being reflected and becomes amplified in an intense manner.

FAQs

What does "hell of a noise" mean?

The phrase "hell of a noise" is an informal expression used to describe a very loud, disruptive, or unpleasant sound. It implies that the noise is significant and often bothersome.

What can I say instead of "hell of a noise"?

You can use alternatives like "deafening racket", "terrible din", or "awful clamor" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "hell of a noise" in formal writing?

No, "hell of a noise" is generally considered too informal for formal writing. Use more neutral alternatives like "loud noise" or "significant disturbance" in professional or academic contexts.

How can I use "hell of a noise" in a sentence?

You can use "hell of a noise" to describe something that is producing a very loud or disruptive sound, such as "The construction site was making one hell of a noise all morning."