VocabDictionary

cacophonous

/kəˈkɒf.ə.nəs/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of unpleasant sounds.

Example Sentences:
  • The construction site was a cacophonous maze of jackhammers, beeping trucks, and shouting workers.
  • As the orchestra warmed up their instruments without coordination, the concert hall filled with a cacophonous din.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “cacophonous”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'kakophōnos', meaning 'ill-sounding', combining 'kakos' (meaning 'bad' or 'ugly') and 'phōnē' (meaning 'sound' or 'voice'). It entered the English language in the mid-18th century as an adjective describing harsh, jarring mixtures of sounds.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'cough' (kəf) that sounds harsh and unpleasant, reminding you of the 'caco-' in cacophonous.

Frequently Asked Questions About “cacophonous

1. What is the meaning of “cacophonous” in English?

In English, cacophonous (adjective) is defined as: “Involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of unpleasant sounds.”.

2. How do you use “cacophonous” in a sentence?

The construction site was a cacophonous maze of jackhammers, beeping trucks, and shouting workers.

3. What are English synonyms of “cacophonous”?

Common synonyms include:discordant,jarring,dissonant,strident,raucous

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “cacophonous”?

Derived from the Greek 'kakophōnos', meaning 'ill-sounding', combining 'kakos' (meaning 'bad' or 'ugly') and 'phōnē' (meaning 'sound' or 'voice'). It entered the English language in the mid-18th century as an adjective describing harsh, jarring mixtures of sounds.