sound

sound1 [ saund ] noun ***

1. ) count something you can hear:

My car is making strange clicking sounds.

sound of: the sound of voices/laughter/footsteps

not make a sound (=be very quiet): Laura didn't make a sound as she left the room.

a ) uncount energy that travels through air or water and that a human ear can hear:

The aircraft could travel faster than the speed of sound.

b ) uncount the music, talking, and other noises that come from a radio, television, movie, etc.:

Something was interfering with the sound during the broadcast.

c ) uncount the loudness of a radio, television, etc: VOLUME:

Turn the sound up a little I can't hear.

2. ) count the particular musical style of a person, band, or place:

He plays an original jazz-gospel sound.

3. ) count a long narrow area of water that connects two larger areas of water:

Long Island Sound

4. ) sounds plural BRITISH INFORMAL TUNES

by the sound of it/things or from the sound of it/things

used for saying that you are basing your ideas, opinions, etc. on what you have heard or read:

From the sound of things, they'll probably have to move before next year.

like the sound of something

to be pleased by something you have heard or read:

A vacation in Greece? I like the sound of that!

Jeff didn't seem to like the sound of their plan.

sound

sound 2 [ saund ] verb ***

1. ) linking verb to seem good, bad, interesting, exciting, etc. based on what you have heard, read, or know:

A cup of tea sounds perfect.

sound like: Costa Rica sounds like a great place for a relaxing vacation.

it sounds as if/as though: It sounds as if he's never home.

a ) to show a particular emotion or quality in your voice:

He always sounds too busy to talk.

sound like: I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, but this plan is unfair.

sound as if/as though: It sounds as if you're getting a cold.

b ) sounds good/great etc. SPOKEN used for telling someone that their idea or suggestion seems like a good one:

How about dinner and a movie tonight? Sounds great.

2. ) intransitive to produce a sound:

The sirens sounded, warning of a tornado.

a ) transitive to make something produce a sound:

Trains are required to sound their whistles as they approach a crossing.

3. ) transitive to pronounce a particular letter in a word: PRONOUNCE:

He has trouble sounding the letter r.

a ) to express a particular reaction to a situation, idea, or event:

sound a positive/hopeful/confident note: Officials sounded a hopeful note about finding the funding for the new school.

sound a note of caution/warning: A recovery in sales has been reported but most retailers have sounded a note of caution.

sound a warning/alarm (=inform people of a danger): The scheme hopes to sound an early warning to teenagers about the dangers of smoking.

4. ) transitive TECHNICAL to measure the depth of an area of water such as a lake or the ocean

,sound `off phrasal verb intransitive

1. ) to express your opinions loudly, especially in an unreasonable way:

sound off about: Maria's always sounding off about politics.

2. ) AMERICAN if soldiers sound off, they count loudly together as part of a military exercise, for example while marching

,sound `out phrasal verb transitive

to try to find out someone's opinions, ideas, feelings, etc. by talking to them:

Candidates will be sounding out voters during the months before the election.

sound

sound 3 [ saund ] adjective **

▸ 1 effective/reliable

▸ 2 thorough

▸ 3 healthy

▸ 4 in good condition

▸ 5 about sleep

▸ 6 about punishment

1. ) involving the use of good judgment, and therefore likely to be effective:

Administrators should make sure the programs are legally sound.

a sound decision

a ) reliable and sensible:

a sound business/company

Firms wishing to take part in the program must be able to show that they are financially sound.

2. ) thorough:

a sound understanding of basic teaching skills

3. ) healthy:

a sound heart

be of sound body/mind: The jury found that Holman was of sound mind when he committed the murder.

4. ) safe or in good condition:

a sound building

Investigators found the airplane to be structurally sound.

5. ) sound sleep is one that is difficult to wake you from

6. ) a sound punishment is severe

╾ sound|ness noun uncount

sound

sound 4 [ saund ] adverb

sound asleep

sleeping very well