You would listen to loud music at a rock concert, but a storm would have howling wind. Both of these refer to sounds with high intensity, but they have slightly different meanings. Loud sounds are simply very intense, but howling sounds have a wailing quality in addition to being loud. So, saying the wind is loud is quite general but technically correct, while rock music generally can’t be described as “howlingâ€. You could say the music was clamorous, meaning that it involved a mixture of confused sounds, but you could also have a clamorous crowd waiting at the train station. A large bell usually has a sonorous sound – this is the perfect word to describe a loud, metallic ringing. If someone’s voice has a ringing quality, you would say they have a resonant tone of speaking or singing. You could also say their voice is orotund, but be careful – this word is only used for describing people’s voices, especially when singing. So a violinist’s style of playing could be resonant, but it wouldn’t be orotund. Let’s look at some more ways to talk about loud sounds.
Word
Meaning
Sample Sentence
Making a loud, fierce, and intense noise.
The roaring lion frightened the visitors at the zoo.
Producing a clear, resonant sound, especially of a bell.
The ringing of the phone woke me up from my nap.
Shaped like a circle or curved in all directions.
The round table was perfect for our meeting.
Giving out or reflecting a lot of light; shining intensely.
The bright sunshine filled the room with warmth and energy.
Making a low, continuous, and often loud noise.
The rumbling thunderstorm made it difficult to sleep.
Having a high intensity of sound; noisy
The loud music from the party kept me awake all night.
Having a cutting edge or point; keenly perceptive or intelligent.
The sharp knife sliced through the tomato with ease.
Having a loud or unpleasant sound
The noisy construction site disturbed the neighbors.
Excessively loud or noisy.
The overloud music at the concert was disturbing the neighbors.
Making a high-pitched, piercing, and often loud noise.
The screeching tires of the car alerted everyone to the accident.
Having a full, rich, and sonorous sound, often used to describe a pompous or pretentious tone.
The orotund professor's lectures were often met with eye-rolls from the students.
Extremely loud and intense, like thunder.
The thundering music shook the entire stadium.
Extremely loud and powerful, like thunder.
The thunderous applause shook the walls of the concert hall.
Extremely loud and intense, often to the point of being overwhelming.
The deafening music at the concert made it hard to talk to my friend.
Making a loud, resonant sound; thriving or flourishing.
The city's economy is booming, with new businesses opening every month.
Making a loud, mournful, and prolonged cry, typically like a wolf.
The howling wind outside made it difficult to sleep.
Loud, harsh, and rough in sound or tone.
The raucous laughter filled the entire room.
Full of energy, vitality, and enthusiasm; bright and striking in color.
The vibrant flowers in the garden caught everyone's attention.
Producing a deep, rich, and full sound; having a strong emotional impact.
The resonant tones of the cello filled the concert hall.
Having a full, rich, and resonant sound.
The sonorous voice of the opera singer filled the auditorium.
Having a harsh, loud, and unpleasant sound or tone.
The strident voice of the protest leader echoed through the streets.
Making a loud and insistent noise, especially to demand attention.
The clamorous crowd of protesters gathered outside the city hall.
Having a round or curved shape; plump or stout.
The rotund gentleman struggled to fit into the compact car.
Extremely loud and piercing, causing discomfort or pain.
The earsplitting siren woke up the entire neighborhood.
A loud and clear sound, especially of a trumpet.
The clarion call of the bugle echoed through the valley.
Producing a loud, clear, and impressive sound or effect.
The resounding applause filled the concert hall after the performance.
Extremely loud and harsh in sound or tone.
The stentorian voice of the drill sergeant echoed across the parade ground.
Having a loud, mournful, and piercing quality, often used to describe sounds.
The plangent cry of the saxophone echoed through the empty streets.
