ENGLISH
REFERENCE

deafening

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈdɛfənɪŋ// UK //dˈɛfənɪŋ// deaf·en·ing

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.


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.

Synonyms
Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference