Word
deafening
Phoneticsdeaf·en·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɛfənɪŋ/
UK/dˈɛfənɪŋ/
Definition
v. to make a sound so loud that it is very hard to hear anything else. You use this when a noise is so strong it fills a whole room or area.
v. to produce a sound of such intensity that it drowns out all other noise. Often used in the passive voice to describe the effect of a loud environment on a quieter sound.
Examples
“The loud music was deafening in the small room.”
“The sound of the waterfall was deafening as we approached the edge of the canyon.”
“The sudden silence that followed the explosion was deafening, leaving the crowd in a state of stunned disbelief as they processed the event.”
Examples
simple
“The loud music was deafening in the small room.”
contextual
“The sound of the waterfall was deafening as we approached the edge of the canyon.”
complex
“The sudden silence that followed the explosion was deafening, leaving the crowd in a state of stunned disbelief as they processed the event.”
Real-World Examples
“I remember every 29 minutes of it: 17,000 screaming girls making a deafening din and thousands of flashbulbs going off at once, lighting up the entire stadium.” “Outside, the forest surged with a deafening uproar of life.” “The burning white brightness you just can't take your eyes off, the deafening roar that takes seconds to hit you, and the force of the blast that passes right through you.” “The friction on the technical fabric of their sleeping mats is deafening.” Idioms
Domain
- 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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