26984 words

sound

32 definitions • 54 examples
1
something that you can hear or that can be heard:

Examples:

hear a sound They could hear the sound of a bell tolling in the distance.
make a sound She stood completely still, not making a sound.
Suddenly we heard a loud knocking sound from the engine.
sound travels Sound can travel over very large distances in water.
2
the activity of recording and broadcasting sound such as from a performance of music or for a film:

Examples:

3
the volume or quality of the sound of a television or film:

Examples:

turn the sound down/up Could you turn the sound down/up on the TV?
4
the particular quality of the music that a musician or a group of musicians produce:

Examples:

The band's sound is a distinctive mixture of funk and rap.
5
how something seems to be, from what is said or written:

Examples:

I like the sound of the beef in red wine sauce.
6

Examples:

the Kalmar Sound
7
to seem good, interesting, strange, etc. from what is said or written:

Examples:

Your job sounds really interesting.
8
to seem like something, from what is said or written:

Examples:

That sounds like a good idea.
9
to seem angry, happy, rude, etc. when you speak:

Examples:

He sounded very depressed when we spoke on the phone yesterday.
10
to make a noise:

Examples:

If the alarm sounds, leave the building immediately.
sound like It sounds like a bird.
He sounds (= speaks) just like someone I used to work with.
Sounding the car's horn, she drove at high speed through the crowded streets.
11
to cause a noise to be made or say or shout a message to warn people about something:

Examples:

Quick, sound the alarm - there's a fire in the machine room!
12
to measure the depth of a mass of water, such as the sea, usually by sonar
13
not broken or damaged; healthy; in good condition:

Examples:

It's an old building but it's still structurally sound.
Considering his age, his body is surprisingly sound.
of sound mind Was she of sound mind (= not mentally ill) at the time of the incident?
14

Examples:

Although the company's share price has declined, its business remains basically sound.
sound investment Government bonds are a sound investment.
15
showing or based on good judgment:

Examples:

sound advice She gave me some very sound advice.
She is a sound judge of character.
I'm not sure how sound the theoretical basis for this argument is.
16
able to be trusted because of having a lot of ability or knowledge:

Examples:

sound on The book is very sound on the basics.
How sound is her knowledge of the subject?
17
not harmful or wrong:

Examples:

Are these pesticides environmentally sound?
I want our business to operate in an ethically sound way.
18
used to say that you like, agree with, or approve of someone or something:

Examples:

He's a good guy. He's sound.
"Shall we go there now?" "Yeah, sound."
19
(of sleep) deep:

Examples:

He quickly fell into a sound sleep.
Her sleep was so sound that she did not wake when they moved her.
20
used to describe someone who sleeps deeply and well:

Examples:

I'm normally a very sound sleeper but this noise kept me awake.
21
(of a beating or defeat) severe:

Examples:

The party was forced to reflect after a sound beating at the ballot box.
The thief was given a sound thrashing.
22

Examples:

sound asleep He was sound asleep within moments of getting into bed.
23
something heard or that may be heard:

Examples:

[ C ] They could hear the sound of an airplane overhead.
24

Examples:

Puget Sound
Long Island Sound
25
to suggest a particular feeling, state, or thing by the way something is said or a noise is made:

Examples:

[ L ] He sounded rather discouraged when I called him yesterday.
[ I always + adv/prep ] You sound as if you have a sore throat.
[ I always + adv/prep ] From what you told me, she sounds like (= seems to be) a nice person.
[ I always + adv/prep ] That sounds like fun (= seems likely to be enjoyable).
26
to make a noise:

Examples:

[ I ] A bell sounds after fifty minutes to signal the end of the class period.
[ T ] Sound the alarm – a prisoner has escaped!
27
in good condition; (of a person) healthy, or (of a thing) not broken or damaged:

Examples:

a person of sound mind
Engineers had to close the bridge because it was not sound.
28
Sound also describes sleep that is deep and peaceful:

Examples:

She was sound asleep when the phone rang.
29
good because based on good judgment or correct methods:

Examples:

It was a sound approach to investing money.
30
showing good judgment, or able to be trusted:

Examples:

A sound money-management strategy that has the added benefit of freeing up cash for new investments.
The booklet gives sound advice on how to choose a with-profits bond.
31
in good condition:

Examples:

The bridge is structurally sound.
32

Examples:

A sound knowledge of law is essential.

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