- sound
- I [[t]sa͟ʊnd[/t]]
NOUN AND VERB USES
♦sounds, sounding, sounded(Please look at category 12 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)1) N-COUNT A sound is something that you hear.
Peter heard the sound of gunfire...
Liza was so frightened she couldn't make a sound...
There was a splintering sound as the railing gave way.
...the sounds of children playing.
2) N-UNCOUNT Sound is energy that travels in waves through air, water, or other substances, and can be heard.The aeroplane will travel at twice the speed of sound.
3) N-SING: the N The sound on a television, radio, or record player is what you hear coming from the machine. Its loudness can be controlled.She went and turned the sound down...
Compact discs have brought about a vast improvement in recorded sound quality.
4) N-COUNT: with supp A singer's or band's sound is the distinctive quality of their music.They have started showing a strong soul element in their sound...
He's got a unique sound and a unique style.
5) V-ERG If something such as a horn or a bell sounds or if you sound it, it makes a noise.The buzzer sounded in Daniel's office...
[V n] A young man sounds the bell to start the Sunday service.
6) VERB If you sound a warning, you publicly give it. If you sound a note of caution or optimism, you say publicly that you are cautious or optimistic.[V n] The Archbishop of Canterbury has sounded a warning to Europe's leaders on third world debt...
[V n] Others consider the move premature and have sounded a note of caution...
[V n] Sir Patrick attempted to sound a positive note, describing the meeting as serving a useful purpose.
7) V-LINK When you are describing a noise, you can talk about the way it sounds.[V like n] They heard what sounded like a huge explosion...
[V adj] The creaking of the hinges sounded very loud in that silence...
[V as if] It sounded as if he were trying to say something.
8) V-LINK When you talk about the way someone sounds, you are describing the impression you have of them when they speak.[V adj] She sounded a bit worried...
[V like n] Murphy sounds like a child...
[V as if] She sounded as if she really cared...
[V n] I am dealing by telephone with Perry who sounds a real self-important Cockney.
9) V-LINK When you are describing your impression or opinion of something you have heard about or read about, you can talk about the way it sounds.[V like n] It sounds like a wonderful idea to me, does it really work?...
[V as if] It sounds as if they might have made a dreadful mistake...
[V adj] She decided that her doctor's advice sounded pretty good...
[V adj] The book is not as morbid as it sounds...
[V n] I know this sounds a crazy thing for me to ask you.
10) N-SING: the N of n You can describe your impression of something you have heard about or read about by talking about the sound of it.Here's a new idea we liked the sound of...
I don't like the sound of Toby Osborne...
From the sound of things, he might well be the same man...
He was being paid danger money from the sound of it.
11) → See also , soundingto sound the death knell → see death knellPhrasal Verbs:II [[t]sa͟ʊnd[/t]] ADJECTIVE USESsounder, soundest1) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ, oft adv ADJ If a structure, part of someone's body, or someone's mind is sound, it is in good condition or healthy.When we bought the house, it was structurally sound...
Although the car is basically sound, I was worried about certain areas...
His body was still sound.
Ant:Derived words:soundness N-UNCOUNT usu with possWe had taken great pains to check the structural soundness of the coachwork.
2) ADJ-GRADED Sound advice, reasoning, or evidence is reliable and sensible.They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets...
Buy a policy only from an insurance company that is financially sound...
His reasoning is perfectly sound, but he misses the point...
There is sound scientific evidence of what certain gases do to the atmosphere.
Syn:Ant:Derived words:soundness N-UNCOUNTI can appreciate his humanitarian zeal; it is the soundness of his thought that I question...
They have a strong record of financial soundness.
3) ADJ-GRADED (approval) If you describe someone's ideas as sound, you mean that you approve of them and think they are correct.I am not sure that this is sound democratic practice...
I think the idea of secularism is a very sound one...
Can anyone suggest a method of deterring spiders which is ecologically sound?
Ant:4) ADJ: ADJ n If someone is in a sound sleep, they are sleeping very deeply.She had woken me out of a sound sleep.
ADV: ADV adjSound is also an adverb.He was lying in bed, sound asleep.
5) → See also soundly
English dictionary. 2008.
