cacophony
noun
A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds; jarring noise created by a combination of unharmonious elements.
Etymology
From Greek "kakophonia" (bad sound), from "kakos" (bad) + "phone" (sound, voice). The opposite of "euphony" (pleasant sound).
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The cacophony of the construction site made concentration impossible."
- 2.
"A cacophony of car horns filled the gridlocked street."
- 3.
"The orchestra's warm-up created a brief cacophony before the concert."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Composers sometimes use deliberate cacophony for effect. Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" caused a riot at its 1913 premiere partly because audiences found its cacophonous passages disturbing.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 9 letters (C, A, C, O, P, H, O, N, Y)
Scrabble Value: 21 points
Tip: Words ending in "NY" are often good scoring opportunities.
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