# noise

/ˈnɔɪz/ (US) · /nˈɔɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/noise
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. unpleasant sound

noun · CEFR A2

a sound, especially one that is loud, unpleasant, or causes a disturbance.

For teachers: an acoustic disturbance or unwanted sound, often characterized by lack of harmony or excessive volume.

- The construction work outside made so much noise that I couldn't sleep.
- The constant background noise of the city often leads to increased stress levels among residents in high-density housing areas.

### 2. any sound

noun · CEFR A2

a specific sound that you can hear.

For teachers: any audible sound, regardless of its quality or desirability.

- I heard a strange noise coming from the basement last night.
- The mechanic listened closely for any unusual noises that might indicate a failure in the engine's cooling system.

### 3. signal interference

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

random information or static that makes a signal, like a photo or radio, less clear.

For teachers: random fluctuations or unwanted data that obscure the clarity of a signal or information set.

- There was too much noise on the phone line to hear what he was saying.
- The astronomer used a specialized filter to remove electronic noise from the digital images of the distant galaxy.

### 4. vague talk or rumors

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

talk or comments that show what people are thinking or feeling.

For teachers: informal speech or public comments that suggest a particular attitude, opinion, or rumor.

- The company is making positive noises about hiring more staff next year.
- Despite the official denial, there are persistent noises from within the ministry suggesting a major policy shift is imminent.

Usage: Often used in the plural as 'noises'.

### 5. experimental music

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a style of music that uses loud, non-musical sounds like static or machines.

For teachers: a genre of experimental music that prioritizes dissonance and non-traditional sound sources over melody and rhythm.

- He enjoys listening to noise and avant-garde jazz in his free time.
- The festival featured several noise artists who utilized industrial machinery and feedback loops to create an immersive wall of sound.

### 6. to spread rumors

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

to spread news or rumors about something.

For teachers: to spread a report or rumor extensively; most common in the passive construction 'noised abroad'.

- It was soon noised abroad that the king had fallen ill.
- The news of the discovery was noised abroad long before the official scientific paper could be published.

Usage: Usually appears as 'noised abroad'.

## Examples

- The loud noise from the street wakes me up.
- The neighbors made so much noise last night that I had to call the building manager.
- In data science, researchers must filter out the background noise to identify the subtle patterns that indicate a significant change in the climate.

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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.