Loudness: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing how loud a sound is, typically in a non-technical or everyday context.

• The loudness of the music made it hard to talk.
• She was surprised by the loudness of his voice.

Used to refer to the amount of sound that something makes; often refers to the setting on a device that controls how loud it is.

• Can you turn down the volume?
• The volume of the radio is too high.

Used to describe the strength or force of something, not just limited to sound. It can also refer to emotions or light.

• The intensity of the storm frightened everyone.
• He spoke with great intensity and passion.

Used in more technical or scientific contexts to refer to the property of sound measured in decibels.

• The sound level in the factory exceeded safety limits.
• We need to measure the sound level in the auditorium.

Used to describe the high level of sound intensity in general situations. It is often used in everyday conversations to describe how loud a sound is.

• The loudness of the music was overwhelming.
• He couldn't concentrate due to the loudness of the noise outside.

Typically used in technical or specialized discussions about how loudness is experienced subjectively by a listener. It's often used in fields like acoustics or audio engineering.

• The perceived volume of the recording was lower than expected.
• Headphone users often adjust the settings to achieve a comfortable perceived volume.

This term is usually used in more scientific or academic contexts to describe how the brain processes and interprets sound. It is less common in casual conversation.

• Researchers are studying auditory perception in children with hearing impairments.
• Auditory perception varies greatly among different individuals.