cacophonous
UK: kəˈkɒfənəs | US: kəˈkɑːfənəs
adj. harsh or jarring in sound; discordant
cacophonous = caco<bad> + phon<sound> + ous<adjective suffix>
- caco<bad>: From Greek kakos (bad, evil).
- phon<sound>: From Greek phōnē (sound, voice).
- ous<adjective suffix>: Latin-derived suffix indicating "full of" or "having the quality of."
Etymology Origin:
The word cacophonous traces back to Greek roots kakos (bad) and phōnē (sound), combining to form cacophony (a harsh mixture of sounds). The suffix -ous was later added in English to create the adjective form. The logic is straightforward: "bad sound" → "full of bad sound." This reflects the word’s vivid auditory imagery, often used to describe grating noises like screeching metal or chaotic shouting.
The cacophonous noise of construction work made it impossible to concentrate.
The band’s rehearsal was cacophonous, with instruments clashing discordantly.
A cacophonous chorus of car horns erupted during the traffic jam.
The toddler’s cacophonous banging on the piano delighted no one but himself.
The debate devolved into a cacophonous argument, with everyone talking over each other.