What does noise mean?
Noise ordinarily means a sound that is loud, unwanted, or disruptive, as in “the noise from the construction site.” It can also refer more broadly to a confused mixture of sounds or a din. In informal and journalistic contexts, “noise” may describe public criticism, controversy, or conspicuous attention, while in communication and signal processing it means unwanted variation that interferes with information. The related verb, “to noise,” means to complain loudly or publicly, especially in order to bring an issue to attention. Although “noise” sometimes simply means a sound without implying displeasure, it usually carries the suggestion of excess, intrusion, or inconvenience. The word is therefore useful in describing not only what can be heard, but also the social and informational effects of unwanted disturbance.
A loud, unwanted, or disruptive sound; a mixture of confused sounds; or public complaint and controversy.
"She heard a sharp noise outside and went to the window."
Countable for individual sounds and uncountable for sound in general; the sense of public complaint or controversy is common in journalism and informal use.
To complain loudly or publicly, or to make repeated assertions in order to attract attention.
"Residents noisily objected to the closure of the local library."
Informal. It commonly occurs in the construction “noise about something” and often implies persistent or conspicuous complaint.
Use “noises” for distinct individual sounds; use the uncountable form “noise” for a general amount of unwanted sound or for the concept of noise.
"Strange noises came from the ceiling throughout the night."
Noise originally meant scandal or harm, not merely a loud sound: the word began with Latin noxia, “injury,” before acquiring its familiar auditory sense.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of noise
The word descends from Middle English and Old French noise, originally associated with scandal, fault, or injury. Old French in turn borrowed the term from Latin noxia, meaning “harm” or “injury.” Its familiar sense of a loud or disturbing sound developed from this earlier association with commotion, and it later extended to public uproar and complaint. The Latin root also underlies words such as noxious and noxa.
Related word forms
How noise is actually used
As a noun, “noise” may be countable when referring to individual sounds (“a strange noise in the hallway”) and uncountable for noise in general (“too much noise”). The verb is informal and usually means to complain publicly rather than to make a sound.
Easily confused with noise
Sound is the general term for what is heard, whether welcome or unwelcome, whereas noise usually suggests a sound that is excessive, unwanted, or disruptive.
A noise is primarily a sound or a public uproar, while a nuisance is a person, activity, or thing that causes annoyance or inconvenience.