noisy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "noisy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that can be used to describe a loud sound, or a place or situation that is full of activity and sound. Example: The restaurant was very noisy, making it hard to have a conversation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For me, it was while trying to pre-board an overcrowded flight to Miami with a noisy baby in my arms, only to be ordered back in line by a curt agent.

The Economist

And towns as as large as neighbouring Griffith, a busy hub which appeared to be full of vim, vigour and young men in noisy cars doing "mainies" on a Sunday night.

The Guardian

"O thou who are close to God, be the middle man between us and God," bellowed the preacher, prompting a noisy chorus of tearful sobs from the crowd in Jamkaran, a 1,000-year-old 1,000-year-old 1,000-year-oldskirts of the holy city of Qom, home to Iran'shrinegions ruling esthelishment.

The Guardian

Mawle offered to show me his grouse moor, and so we clambered into a noisy Kawasaki all-terrain vehicle driven by Neil Taylor, Mawle's Scottish gamekeeper.

The Guardian

A handful of nationalist MPs from the more distant Celtic parts of Britain have traditionally been noisy but not important.

The Guardian

In the same way, his art is one of engaged observation rather than noisy propaganda.

The Guardian - Arts

Every night at that point, give or take 10 minutes, she'd give a noisy yawn and trot happily upstairs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Or take "vibrant", increasingly an estate-agent spin for noisy areas with a certain kind of cultural consumption.

The Guardian - Books

I meet Nettle at a noisy student restaurant in Newcastle.

The Guardian

Particularly significant to Nice's thought process is the suggestion that home births offer a more conducive, less stressful environment than a noisy hospital ward, where infection is often more difficult to contain and where stretched doctors are all too keen on epidurals and forceps.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nice may be the unofficial capital of the Côte d'Azur but it tends to get overshadowed by its noisy, glamorous neighbour Cannes – and more recently Marseille, which is European Capital of Culture 2013.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "noisy" to describe environments, objects, or individuals that produce a significant amount of sound, especially when that sound is disruptive or unpleasant. For example, use "noisy traffic" instead of just "traffic" to emphasize the sound pollution.

Common error

Avoid using "noisy" as a catch-all term for anything negative. Be specific about the type of noise or disturbance if possible. Instead of saying "a noisy situation", describe the specific sounds or events causing the problem.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "noisy" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something producing or characterized by a significant amount of sound. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, "noisy" commonly describes places, people, or objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Travel

10%

Music

5%

Less common in

Opinion

3%

Arts

3%

Lifestyle

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "noisy" is a common adjective used to describe something that produces a significant amount of sound, particularly when that sound is disruptive or unpleasant. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used. With a neutral register, it appears most frequently in news and media, travel writing, and discussions about music. While "noisy" generally carries a negative connotation, describing unwelcome sounds, it can also denote a lively or energetic atmosphere. Remember to use "noisy" specifically and avoid it as a catch-all term. Consider more precise descriptors when possible to convey the exact nature of the sound or disturbance you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loud

Single word alternative, focusing solely on high sound volume.

clamorous

Emphasizes a vehement or vociferous noise.

boisterous

Suggests a lively, energetic, and often rowdy noisiness.

uproarious

Implies a loud and excited commotion.

tumultuous

Conveys a disturbance or agitation along with noise.

deafening

Indicates an extremely loud noise, potentially causing hearing issues.

rackety

Suggests a rattling, clattering noise.

rowdy

Implies a disorderly and disruptive noise, often from a crowd.

raucous

Describes a harsh, loud, and grating noise.

turbulent

Highlights a disturbed or chaotic noise.

FAQs

How can I use "noisy" in a sentence?

You can use "noisy" to describe something that makes a lot of sound. For example, "The city is very noisy at night" or "The children were being noisy during the movie".

What's a more formal alternative to "noisy"?

Depending on the context, more formal alternatives to "noisy" could include "uproarious", "clamorous", or "tumultuous", especially in writing.

Is "noisy" always negative?

While "noisy" often implies a negative connotation (loud and disruptive), it can sometimes be neutral or even positive, such as describing a "boisterous" and lively atmosphere at a party or celebration.

Which is more appropriate: "a noisy crowd" or "a loud crowd"?

Both "a noisy crowd" and "a loud crowd" are correct, but "noisy" often implies a more chaotic or disruptive sound, whereas "loud" simply indicates high volume. The best choice depends on the specific context.