sound

 The word "sound" is a versatile word in English and can be used in several different ways. Here's a breakdown of its main uses with examples:

1. As a Noun:

• Meaning: Something that can be heard.

  • "I heard a strange sound coming from the attic."
  • "The sound of the waves crashing on the shore was very relaxing."
  • "The microphone picked up a lot of background noise (which is a type of unwanted sound)."
  • "She made a small sound of surprise."
  • "The concert was full of loud sounds."

• Meaning: The sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of hearing by vibrations transmitted through the air or other¹ medium. (More technical definition)

  • "The study of sound is called acoustics."

2. As a Verb:

• Meaning: To make a sound.

  • "The doorbell sounded."
  • "The alarm sounded loudly."
  • "The dog sounded like it was barking at someone."

• Meaning: To seem or appear to be a certain way based on what is heard.

  • "That sounds like a good idea."
  • "He sounded tired on the phone."
  • "The story sounds interesting."
  • "It sounds like you had a lot of fun."

3. As an Adjective:

• Meaning: In good condition; not damaged or injured.

  • "The old house was still structurally sound."
  • "The doctor said his leg was sound again after the surgery."

• Meaning: Based on good judgment or reasoning; sensible.

  • "That's a sound piece of advice."
  • "He made a sound decision to invest in that company."

• Meaning: Relating to or concerned with sound.

  • "The engineer specializes in sound design."
  • "The recording studio has excellent sound quality."

• Meaning: Deep and undisturbed (when used with "asleep").

  • "He was sound asleep by the time I got home."

4. In Idioms and Expressions:

• Sound asleep: Sleeping very deeply.
• Sound advice: Good and sensible advice.
• Sound judgment: Good and sensible decision-making.
• Sound out: To ask someone for their opinion or feelings about something.
  • "I wanted to sound out my colleagues before making a final decision."
• Clear as a bell (often used with "sound"): Very clear and distinct.
  • "The singer's voice was as clear as a bell."

How to Use "Sound" Effectively:

• Pay attention to the context: The meaning of "sound" will depend heavily on how it's used in a sentence.
• Consider the part of speech: Is it acting as a noun, verb, or adjective?
• Think about synonyms: If you're unsure if "sound" is the right word, consider synonyms like "noise," "tone," "voice," "seem," "appear," "solid," "sensible," etc.

By understanding these different ways to use "sound," you can communicate more effectively and accurately in English.