- 1linking verb to give a particular impression when heard or read about + adj. His voice sounded strange on the phone. She didn't sound surprised when I told her the news. His explanation sounds reasonable to me. Leo made it sound so easy. But it wasn't. He doesn't sound French—and he doesn't look it. + noun She sounds just the person we need for the job. sound like somebody/something You sounded just like your father when you said that. sound as if/as though… I hope I don't sound as if/as though I'm criticizing you. In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though. -sounding
- 2(in adjectives) giving the impression of having a particular sound an Italian-sounding name fine-sounding words
- 3[intransitive, transitive] to produce a sound; to make something such as a musical instrument produce a sound The bell sounded for the end of the class. sound something Passing motorists sounded their horns in support. give warning/signal
- 4[transitive] sound something to give a signal such as a warning by making a sound When I saw the smoke, I tried to sound the alarm. (figurative) Scientists have sounded a note of caution on the technique. Leaving him off the team may sound the death knell for our chances of winning (= signal the end of our chances). pronounce
- 5[transitive] sound something (technology) to pronounce something You don't sound the “b” in the word “comb.” measure depth
- 6[transitive, intransitive] sound (something) (technology) to measure the depth of the ocean or a lake by using a line with a weight attached, or an electronic instrument Idioms
sound
verbNAmE//saʊnd//
(not usually used in the progressive tenses)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they sound he / she / it sounds
past simple sounded
-ing form sounding
to be very similar to something Their latest single sounds suspiciously like the last one.
to express feelings or opinions of a particular kind She sounded a note of caution in her speech. The touch of cynicism struck a slightly sour note.
used to agree to a suggestion that you think is good Phrasal Verbssound offsound out
Check pronunciation: sound