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REFERENCE

loudly

adv.
US //ˈɫaʊdɫi// UK //lˈaʊdli// loud·ly
  1. 1 with high volume (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    making a lot of noise so that people can hear you from far away.

    at a high volume; in a manner that produces significant sound.

    Example

    The children were playing so loudly that I couldn't hear the television.

    Example

    The protesters chanted loudly outside the courthouse, ensuring their demands were heard by the officials inside the building.

    Usage

    Typically follows the verb it modifies or the direct object.
    • noisily
    • audibly
    Pitfall
    He spoke very loud.
    He spoke very loudly.

    While 'loud' is sometimes used as an adverb in informal speech, 'loudly' is the standard form for most contexts.

  2. 2 brightly or showily (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    in a way that is very bright or colorful and catches your attention, often in a way that looks a bit cheap.

    in a gaudy or showy manner; used to describe visual patterns or colors that are excessively bright or tasteless.

    Example

    He was dressed loudly in a bright neon suit and a gold tie.

    Example

    The hotel lobby was decorated rather loudly, with clashing patterns and vibrant colors that overwhelmed the guests.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a figurative use of the word; it compares the 'noise' of a sound to the 'noise' of a very bright visual pattern.
    • gaudily
    • flashily
    • showily
Origin

From Middle English loudly, equivalent to loud + -ly.

Word family

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