Word buzz: All about sounds

Published July 10, 2010

Abuzz (adjective) something filled with noise and activity.

Ballyhoo (noun) old-fashioned slang used to mean a lot of noise and activity that is often senseless. “The opposition was making a lot of ballyhoo in the meeting.”

Bedlam (noun) a noisy situation with no order. “There was bedlam at the football ground after the hosts lost the match.”

Blare (verb) to make an unpleasantly loud noise.

Boisterous (adjective) noisy, energetic and rowdy; full of noisy enthusiasm and energy. “A boisterous bunch of fans ran into the field even before the game ended.”

Brouhaha (noun) old-fashioned informal, for a noisy commotion or uproar.

Cacophony (noun) an unpleasant combination of loud, often jarring, sounds. “As we entered the farmyard we were met with a cacophony of animal sounds.”

Clamour (noun) a loud noise, especially made by people's voices; a loud complaint about something or a demand for something. “There was a public clamour for vengeance an end to load-shedding.”

Clatter (verb) to make continuous loud noises by hitting hard objects against each other, or to cause objects to create noise. “There was a clatter of the dishes in the kitchen.”

Commotion (noun) a sudden short period of noise, confusion or excited movement. “The film star's arrival caused quite a commotion.”

Crackle (verb) to make a lot of short, dry, sharp sounds. “The logs crackled and popped in the fireplace.”

Crackly (adjective) a loud unpleasant confused noise which lasts for a long time. “The din of the traffic.”

Hubbub (noun) a loud noise, especially caused by a lot of people, all talking at the same time; general excitement and activity. “I could hardly hear myself speak above all the hubbub in the theatre.”

Hullabaloo (noun) old-fashioned a loud noise made by people who are angry or annoyed. “The minister resigned after all the hullabaloo over his underworld links.”

Racket (noun) an unpleasant loud continuous noise. “The children made such a racket after the teacher left the class.”

Rip-roaring (adjective) informal wild, noisy and exciting. “The party was a rip-roaring success.”

— Ahzam Ahmed

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