noise

noise¹ W2S2 [nɔız] n

[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: 'quarreling, noise', from Latin nausea; NAUSEA]

1.) [U and C]

a sound, especially one that is loud, unpleasant, or frightening

= ↑sound

▪ What's that noise?

noise of

▪ the noise of the traffic

▪ Try not to make a noise when you go upstairs.

gurgling/banging/crackling etc noise

▪ There was a strange whistling noise in his ears.

▪ There was a lot of noise outside.

▪ Noise levels have been reduced by 20%.

traffic/engine/background etc noise

▪ the problem of aircraft noise near airports

2.) (make) encouraging/optimistic etc noises (about sth)

BrE to say things which suggest what your opinion or attitude is, without saying it directly

▪ Both sides were making hopeful noises about the hostages.

3.) make (all) the right noises (about sth)

to say the things that other people want or expect to hear

▪ The health minister seems to be making all the right noises.

4.) make noises about doing sth

to say that you are considering doing something

▪ He is now making noises about starting his own business.

5.) make a (lot of) noise about sth

BrE to talk about something a lot, so that people will notice it - used in order to show disapproval

▪ modern men who make a noise about the fact that they know how to look good

6.) [U] technical

unwanted signals produced by an electrical ↑circuit

7.) [U] technical

pieces of unwanted information that can prevent a computer from working effectively

8.) noises off

the sounds, voices etc that come from actors who are not on the stage at the time

→↑big noise

noise ²

noise² v

be noised abroad/about/around

old-fashioned especially BrE if news or information is noised abroad, people are talking about it

▪ Rumours of an election are being noised abroad.