noise
/nɔɪz/Unwanted or unpleasant sound, often loud or disruptive.
The noise from the traffic outside is unbearable.
The loud, disruptive sounds from cars and trucks are hard to tolerate.
Can refer to physical sound or metaphorical disruption (e.g., 'noise in the data').
Random or irrelevant information that interferes with communication or data.
The signal-to-noise ratio in this transmission is poor.
There is too much interference (noise) compared to the useful signal.
Common in fields like telecommunications, computing, and statistics.
Collocations
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative
Noise can refer to physical sound or metaphorical interference (e.g., 'noise in the data').
⚡Gold Rule
Context Matters
In technical contexts, 'noise' often means interference, not just loud sounds.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'noise,' from Old French 'noise,' possibly from Latin 'nausea' (disgust) or 'nausia' (seasickness).
📝Usage Notes
Can be literal (physical sound) or metaphorical (interference, distraction).