loud

USAGE SUMMARY

'loud' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a sound or noise. For example: I heard a loud bang coming from outside.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Music

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Five years ago I stood here and said we had made history here in Brighton," Lucas said to loud cheers inside the Brighton Centre conference venue.

The Guardian

Contributing to the problem is a fierce appetite for loud music, without an understanding of what this means for hearing in later life.

The Guardian

Despite loud prompts from his son and Peter Robinson, the new-fangled, insulting replacement for the RUC eventually came out "ESPI" instead of PSNI.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's the first time I have been (intentionally) made to laugh out loud at a style piece.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For the subsection most likely to be found lolling in the festival's green fields to the sound of a cycle-powered electric banjo, the Pyramid stage – where U2 play – is like going into town on a Saturday night: big, loud and lairy, with Radio 1 favourites blaring on a loop.

The Guardian - Opinion

Particularly frequent or prolonged exposure to very loud sound can permanently damage the ear's sensory cells, causing irreversible hearing loss, and even deafness.

The Guardian

Related: Office employees should be on feet for four hours of working day, study says If you are reading this at your desk at work – perhaps on the sly while your boss has a loud conversation, or on the downlow while you avoid making an important phone call because for whatever reason you have to psych yourself up to make a phone call – stand up.

The Guardian - Opinion

May We Be Forgiven by AM Homes (Granta), is a sharply observant, if slightly fantastical, satire on modern family life that made me laugh out loud.

The Guardian - Books

Appearance: Slightly too bright, slightly too loud, a little frayed around the edges.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Even the government has made loud noises about curbing tax avoidance, giving £900m to Revenue & Customs to fight it.

The Guardian - Business

This is the point at which Labour councils should be saying no, in a loud and clear voice, with support from their national leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "loud" to show emotion or emphasis. For instance, a "loud" voice might suggest anger, excitement, or urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "loud" when you mean clear or distinct. While a "loud" sound is easily heard, it doesn't necessarily mean it is easily understood. Use "clear" or "distinct" instead when referring to understandability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "loud" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe the intensity or audibility of sounds. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage across various contexts, affirming its role in denoting sounds that are easily heard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Lifestyle

8%

Music

6%

Less common in

Travel

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "loud" is an adjective primarily used to describe sounds of great intensity or audibility. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Analysis of various contexts reveals its frequent presence in news and media, lifestyle, and music, with a neutral formality suitable for diverse communication styles. While "loud" effectively emphasizes sound intensity, consider using synonyms like "deafening" or "boisterous" for increased precision and avoiding overuse. Furthermore, be mindful of its specific connotation related to sound, distinguishing it from terms like "clear" or "distinct" that denote clarity or understandability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noisy

A general term for something producing a lot of sound.

deafening

Signifies an extremely high volume of sound, potentially causing hearing discomfort.

ear-splitting

Denotes a sound that is so loud it is painful to the ears.

boisterous

Implies a noisy and lively atmosphere, often associated with celebration or high spirits.

blaring

Indicates a loud and often unpleasant sound, typically from a mechanical source.

raucous

Suggests a rough or harsh sound, often associated with uncontrolled laughter or shouting.

piercing

Signifies a high-pitched, sharp sound that is often unpleasant.

thunderous

Describes a sound that is loud and resonant, similar to thunder.

vociferous

Emphasizes the expression of opinions or feelings in a loud and forceful manner.

intense

Describes the degree or strength of something, not strictly auditory.

FAQs

How can I use "loud" in a sentence?

"Loud" is an adjective used to describe sounds with great intensity. For example, "The music was too loud" or "He has a loud voice".

What words can I use instead of "loud"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "noisy", "deafening", "boisterous" or "thunderous".

Is it correct to say "speak loud" or "speak loudly"?

While "loud" can function as an adverb, it's generally more appropriate to use "loudly". Therefore, "speak loudly" is the grammatically preferred construction.

What's the difference between "loud" and "intense"?

"Loud" specifically refers to sounds, whereas "intense" describes the degree or strength of something, not necessarily related to sound. For example, you might say "a loud noise" but "an intense feeling".