# loudness

/lˈaʊdnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/loudness
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

the amount of sound that something makes. It describes how strong or powerful a sound feels to your ears.

For teachers: the subjective perception of sound pressure, typically measured in decibels. Refers to the physical intensity or volume of an auditory signal.

## Examples

- The loudness of the music woke the neighbors.
- The sound engineer adjusted the loudness of the vocals to ensure they were not drowned out by the drums.
- While the physical amplitude of a wave is measurable, loudness remains a psychological attribute that varies depending on the frequency of the sound and the listener's hearing sensitivity.

## Usage notes

- Often used with 'of' to describe a specific sound source.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.