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to sound

to sound

∞ 3.0
To seem to be a certain way when you hear it
  • verb
  • /saʊnd/
: parecer
  • You need to explain the situation to the patient in terms that sound fair to them.
  • sounds familiar
  • sounds good
  • sound the same

From my point of view, it sounds like you're doing amazing.

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Examples

  • In theory, investing in a movie sounds like an exciting investment opportunity.

    Academic text (2017)
  • I know that sounds ridiculous.

  • What else is there that sounds too hard that I could try?

  • So how does it sound or feel?

  • I think that oh just sounds pretty good.

  • And that right there sounds like self love to me.

  • Now, when you think about it, that sounds maybe reasonable.

  • From my point of view, it sounds like you're doing amazing.

  • By re-reading the sentence, they will be able to notice if it sounds right or not.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The presentation sounds very exciting and engaging for the audience.

Synonyms

to sound right
vsto sound
80 2.9

To seem correct or acceptable

is a general verb meaning to appear without a value judgement
to sound fishy
vsto sound
  • Informal
3 7.0

To seem not honest or real

is a general verb meaning to appear without implying doubt

Idioms

safe and sound
  • Informal
59 1.5

Not hurt and not in danger

17 3.2

Resting very deeply and not waking easily

of sound mind
  • Formal
10 6.5

Able to think clearly and make decisions

To keep saying the same complaint again and again until people get annoyed

Cannot hear something because a louder noise is present

to sound fishy
  • Informal
3 7.0

To seem not honest or real

In very good working condition and reliable

To warn people about a possible danger or serious problem

To enjoy hearing yourself talk because you feel important

To enjoy hearing yourself speak while not listening to others

Talk in a way that shows old, unfair ideas about women

Phrasal Verbs

To seem correct or acceptable

to sound off
  • Informal
17 7.0

To say your opinion or complain loudly and openly

8 5.5

To begin to play music or make a sound to mark a start

6 2.8

Say the letters and syllables of a word to help you read and spell it

4 4.4

Try to find out what someone thinks by asking indirect questions

Compounds

sound bite
  • Literature
62 4.0

A short part of a recorded statement on radio or television, often by a politician

33 3.5

A set of electronic devices that records, makes louder, or plays sound

32 3.1

A recorded sound added to films or plays to copy real noises

sound wave
  • Specialized
23 3.5

A pattern of vibrations that moves through air, water, or solids and carries sound

12 4.0

A large bay of the Pacific Ocean in northwest Washington State with many connected waterways and islands

sound barrier
  • Specialized
7 5.7

The point near the speed of sound when a plane feels a sudden push and strong vibration

The ability to make sensible, careful decisions

A stretch of water between Long Island and Connecticut on the US Atlantic coast

A saved copy of voices, music, or other noises you can play back

2 2.5

A sound made with the mouth open that forms the main part of a syllable

1 3.9

A way of thinking or arguing that uses good reasons and evidence to show something is true

sound hole
  • Specialized
1 4.9

An opening in the top of an instrument with strings, like a guitar, that makes its sound louder

1 6.8

A truck with big speakers that drives around to play announcements or ads

A person who controls sound equipment for TV, radio, or live shows

1 2.5

A soft wet noise something makes when you press or step on it

sound reproduction
  • Specialized
1 4.6

To play recorded sound so it sounds like the original

speech sound
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A single sound that people make when they talk

1 3.6

A movie that has recorded sound and spoken dialogue

voiced sound
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A speech sound made when the vocal cords in your throat move quickly

Loud unwanted noise that disturbs people and can harm health

sound pressure
  • Specialized
1 5.1

Extra pressure in the air caused by a sound wave that we can measure

sound perception
  • Specialized
1 5.6

The ability to hear and understand sounds around you

sound pressure level
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A measure of how loud a sound is in decibels

foley sound
  • Specialized
1 7.2

Recorded noise made to match actions seen on screen

sound structure
  • Specialized
1 7.0

The way small spoken parts are arranged to make words

A long bay of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of British Columbia, Canada

sound ranging
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A method of finding where a sound comes from by measuring how long it takes to reach microphones

sound unit
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A unit that measures how loud a sound is, like the decibel

sound reflection
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A bounce of sound you hear again after it hits a surface

sound projection
  • Specialized
1 6.4

How far and how clearly people hear a sound in a place

sound camera
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A movie camera that records sound together with the picture

sound spectrum
  • Specialized
1 6.7

The loudness of the high and low parts of a sound, for example a violin or flute

sound alphabet
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A set of letters that show speech sounds like the International Phonetic Alphabet

1 3.8

An audio system that plays sound very clearly with little distortion

The pressure of sound at one moment at a point

kerching sound
  • Informal
9.9

A sound like coins clinking when someone gets money

9.9

A silly bouncing sound that toys or cartoons make when they move

sound spectrograph
  • Specialized
9.1

A machine that shows different pitches in a sound as a picture

sound bow
  • Specialized
9.9

Thick part of a bell that the metal piece inside hits to make it ring

sound camera
  • Specialized
8.0

A device that makes pictures showing where sounds come from and how loud they are

sound law
  • Specialized
9.8

A regular rule that explains how sounds in a language change over time

sound doubler
  • Specialized
8.2

A device that makes voices or music sound fuller by copying the original sound

How Convincing

to sound
∞ 3.0
to seem
∞ 1.0
to appear
∞ 2.0
to look
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

sound infinitive
sounded past
sounded past participle
sounding present participle
sounds third person singular

Etymology

Sound (verb, 'to seem') comes from the idea of hearing: if something 'sounds' good you get that idea by hearing about it, so to sound is to give a certain idea or feeling.