Word
cacophony
Phoneticsca·coph·o·ny, stress on the second syllable
US/kæˈkɑfəni/
UK/kɐkˈɒfənˌi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a loud, unpleasant mix of sounds that do not go well together. You use it for noise that feels messy and hard to listen to.
n. a harsh, discordant mixture of loud sounds lacking in harmony. Often contrasted with harmony or melody.
Examples
“The street fills with the cacophony of horns and shouting.”
“The school hallway breaks into a cacophony of bells, lockers, and loud voices between classes.”
“From the open window came the late-night cacophony of the city, sirens and traffic blending into a restless hum that made sleep impossible.”
Examples
simple
“The street fills with the cacophony of horns and shouting.”
contextual
“The school hallway breaks into a cacophony of bells, lockers, and loud voices between classes.”
complex
“From the open window came the late-night cacophony of the city, sirens and traffic blending into a restless hum that made sleep impossible.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cacophony” in context.
Verb
01. add to cacophony
“Barking dogs added to the cacophony of the crowded street market.”
verb + prep + noun
02. cacophony echoes
“The cacophony echoes across the valley long after the festival ends.”
noun + verb
03. cacophony erupts
“A sudden cacophony erupted when the fireworks display began.”
noun + verb
04. cacophony subsides
“Gradually the cacophony subsided as the crowd left the stadium.”
noun + verb
05. create cacophony
“Hundreds of protesters created a cacophony that echoed through the square.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. chaotic cacophony
“Morning traffic produces a chaotic cacophony of horns and engines.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. burst of cacophony
“A sudden burst of cacophony came from the school playground.”
noun + prep + noun
08. cacophony of sound
“The building site emitted a relentless cacophony of sound all day.”
noun + prep + noun
09. cacophony of voices
“A cacophony of voices filled the departure hall during the delay.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a deafening cacophony of horns
“A deafening cacophony of horns filled the street during the protest.”
11. add to the cacophony
“The sirens only added to the cacophony of the city centre.”
12. amid the sheer cacophony
“Amid the sheer cacophony, it was impossible to hear the announcement.”
Real-World Examples
“This is not a soft, plaintive lament – the room is a discordant, uncomfortable place, filled with a wailing cacophony of clashing vibrato and just out of tune notes.” “Maresca called on his team to make their own noise while a cacophony swirls around them, but on-pitch success will not speak louder while what is happening off it is unresolved.” “Amid the cacophony of doom from the right, Islam, a fairer adjudicator, says there has been “a modest but notable uptick in economic spirits”.” “Photograph: Patch Dolan In all the cacophony of Jimmy Fairhurst’s staging, their relationship feels more like an enthusiastic fling than a meeting of soulmates.” Etymology
From French cacophonie, from Ancient Greek κακοφωνία (kakophōnía), from κακός (kakós, “bad”) + φωνή (phōnḗ, “sound”), equivalent to caco- + -phony.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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