What does loudest mean?
“Loudest” is the superlative of “loud” and means that someone or something produces the greatest amount of sound. It is used for the noisiest person, object, or event, as in “the loudest child at the concert,” and may also describe the most forceful or conspicuous member of a group: “the loudest critic of the policy.” In its sound-related sense, it can be modified by an implied comparison: “Her phone was the loudest in the office.” The word also carries figurative meanings associated with strong expression, protest, or publicity. In formal writing, “most loudly” is often preferable when the adverb is needed, while “loudest” is especially natural in speech and narrative contexts.
Producing the greatest amount of sound or occurring at the highest volume.
"The trumpet was the loudest instrument in the band."
The comparative is “louder” and the superlative is “loudest.”
With the greatest degree of sound or volume.
"The child laughed loudest of all."
This use is common in speech and narrative writing; “most loudly” is more formal.
From a family of words that found their way into English from Old English, “loud” now reaches its fullest form in the superlative.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does loudest come from?
The word belongs to a Germanic word family. Its Old English ancestor was “hlūd,” meaning “loud” or “clear-sounding,” and the related adverb “hlūd” eventually became modern English “loudly.” Modern “loud” retained the basic sense of producing a strong sound, while “aloud” developed from a related native expression meaning “with a loud voice.” The superlative “loudest” follows the regular English formation in adding “-est.”
Related word forms
How loudest is actually used
As the superlative form of “loud,” it normally requires a comparison or a set of people or things. It can also be used adverbially in constructions such as “laugh loudest,” though “most loudly” is more formal.