thin sound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thin sound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound that lacks depth, richness, or fullness, often conveying a sense of weakness or fragility. Example: "The music played on the old radio had a thin sound that made it difficult to enjoy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A thin sound of enthusiastic shouts echoed through the room.

The New York Times

She produced a generally sweet but thin sound.

The New York Times - Arts

P.S. Two more recordings — a bootleg of Coleman, live in Los Angeles in 1958, before he "hit" — thin sound but an exhilarating sense of discovery; and "Free Jazz," a strange recording from 1960 (part of the Atlantic package), featuring a double quartet playing with more preordained patterns than its title suggests.

The New Yorker

P.S. Two more recordings a bootleg of Coleman, live in Los Angeles in 1958, before he "hit"—thin sound but an exhilarating sense of discovery; and "Free Jazz," a strange recording from 1960 (part of the Atlantic package), featuring a double quartet playing with more preordained patterns than its title suggests.

The New Yorker

There are, however, two Johns tracks intact on the album, Best of My Love and You Never Cry Like a Lover, both written by Henley ("He did a good job on those, they needed that sound") and singer/songwriter friend John David Souther, who ascribes the change to the "Eagles' desire to get more of a live, thin sound on the albums".

The Guardian - Music

There was, too, a rather thin sound in the piano's highest registers, though that was much more likely to be characteristic of the instrument being used than of Uchida's own touch, which was so even and silken through the rest of the keyboard.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Thin sounds bony.

The Guardian

One of the album's shortcomings is its thin sounds.

The New Yorker

If there is a hammer in its mechanism that strikes a metal plate at the end of its movement, a small piece of thin sound-absorbing material, such as plastic, mounted on the plate will reduce this sound.

WikiHow

In the tense slow movement, the group created chromatic layers of paper-thin sound that thickened very gradually like a creeping sense of dread settling on the ensemble.

The New York Times - Arts

Twyla Robinson produces a thinner sound, again with a vibrato that can prove trying.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing audio quality, use "thin sound" to convey a lack of richness or depth, often associated with poor recording quality or inadequate equipment.

Common error

Avoid using "thin sound" when you simply mean the sound is not loud. "Thin sound" refers to the quality of the sound, not its volume. Use 'quiet sound' or 'low volume' to describe loudness instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thin sound" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a specific quality of sound. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a lack of depth or richness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

24%

Music

16%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thin sound" is a commonly used phrase that describes audio quality lacking depth, richness, or fullness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, including news, media, and music. While primarily neutral in register, it's important to distinguish it from descriptions of volume. Alternatives like "weak sound" or "feeble sound" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, be precise and avoid using "thin sound" to merely indicate low volume.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeble sound

This alternative emphasizes the weakness and lack of power in the sound.

weak sound

Similar to 'feeble', this highlights the sound's lack of strength.

tinny sound

This suggests a metallic, unpleasant quality in addition to the lack of depth.

reedy sound

Implies a nasal, high-pitched, and often weak sound.

hollow sound

Suggests the sound lacks resonance and fullness.

empty sound

Highlights the lack of substance and depth in the sound.

anaemic sound

Evokes a sense of lifelessness and weakness in the sound.

slight sound

Emphasizes the quietness and lack of prominence of the sound.

delicate sound

Indicates a fragile and subtle quality, which might also imply a lack of power.

faint sound

Highlights the sound's low volume and difficulty to hear.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone describes a sound as "thin"?

Describing a sound as "thin" generally means that it lacks depth, richness, or fullness. It often suggests a lack of bass frequencies or a poor recording quality.

What are some alternatives to saying "thin sound"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "weak sound", "feeble sound", or "tinny sound" to describe a sound that lacks depth or quality.

Is "thin sound" a negative description?

Yes, "thin sound" is generally a negative description. It implies that the sound is lacking in some desirable quality, such as warmth, depth, or power.

How does "thin sound" differ from "quiet sound"?

"Thin sound" refers to the quality of the sound, indicating a lack of richness or depth. "Quiet sound", on the other hand, refers to the volume of the sound, meaning it is not very loud.