loud
UK: laʊd | US: laʊd
adj. producing or capable of producing much noise
adj. (of colors, patterns, etc.) unpleasantly bright or vivid
adj. (of behavior, speech, etc.) offensively conspicuous or obtrusive
The word "loud" traces back to Old English hlūd, meaning "noisy" or "heard far and wide," derived from Proto-Germanic hlūdaz. It shares roots with Old High German hlūt and Old Norse hljóðr, all conveying the idea of sound or noise. Over time, the spelling simplified to "loud," while its meaning expanded metaphorically to describe anything excessively noticeable (e.g., colors, behavior). The word’s persistence in English reflects its core association with auditory and visual intensity.
The concert was so loud that my ears rang for hours afterward.
She wore a loud dress covered in bright floral patterns.
His loud boasting annoyed everyone at the meeting.
The thunder grew louder as the storm approached.
Turn down the music—it’s too loud for the neighbors.