Cacophony: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Cacophony noun. A harsh, jarring mixture of loud sounds.
How to say it
kuh-KOF-uh-nee/kəˈkɒf(ə)ni/
4 syllables, stressed on the second (KOF).
Cacophony in a sentence
Dawn at the rookery is a cacophony of caws and flapping wings.
The open-plan office was a cacophony of ringtones, keyboards and loud chewing.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- din
- racket
- clamour
- discord
Opposite:
- harmony
- euphony
Where cacophony comes from
From Greek kakophōnia, from kakos, bad, and phōnē, sound.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The open-plan office was a _____ of ringtones, keyboards and loud chewing.
- melisma
- impasto
- cacophony
Show the answer
cacophony: The open-plan office was a cacophony of ringtones, keyboards and loud chewing.