noise

Meanings

Noun

• Various sounds, usually unwanted or unpleasant.
• Any sound.
• Sound or signal generated by random fluctuations.
• Any part of a signal or data that reduces the clarity, precision, or quality of the desired output.
• Unwanted fuss or bustle; useless activity.
• The measured level of variation in gene expression among cells, regardless of source, within a supposedly identical population.
• Rumour or complaint.
• Music, in general; a concert; also, a company of musicians; a band.
• A genre of rock music that uses static and other non-musical sounds, also influenced by art rock.

Verb

• To make a noise; to sound.
• To spread news of; to spread as rumor or gossip.

Related

Similar words

• sound

Narrower meaning words

• bang, boom, crash, thud

Origin

• From Middle English noyse, noise, from Old French noise, of uncertain origin. According to some, from Latin nausia, nausea; according to others, from Latin noxia; but neither explanation is satisfactory in regard to either form or sense.