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Synonyms

sounding

1 American  
[soun-ding] / ˈsaʊn dɪŋ /

adjective

Archaic.

  1. emitting or producing a sound or sounds.

  2. resounding or sonorous.

  3. having an imposing sound; high-sounding; pompous.

noun

  1. a verbal contest or confrontation, as among teenage boys or street-gang members, in which the trading of often elaborate insults and invective takes the place of physical violence.

sounding 2 American  
[soun-ding] / ˈsaʊn dɪŋ /

noun

  1. Often soundings. the act of measuring the depth of an area of water with or as if with a lead and line.

  2. soundings,

    1. an area of water that can be sounded with an ordinary lead and line, the depth being 100 fathoms (180 meters) or less.

    2. the results or measurement obtained by sounding with a lead and line.

  3. Meteorology. any vertical penetration of the atmosphere for scientific measurement, especially a radiosonde observation.

idioms

  1. off soundings, in waters beyond the 100-fathom (180-meter) depth.

  2. on soundings, in waters less than 100 fathoms (180 meters) deep, so that the lead can be used.

sounding 1 British  
/ ˈsaʊndɪŋ /

noun

  1. (sometimes plural) the act or process of measuring depth of water or examining the bottom of a river, lake, etc, as with a sounding line

  2. an observation or measurement of atmospheric conditions, as made using a radiosonde or rocketsonde

  3. (often plural) measurements taken by sounding

  4. (plural) a place where a sounding line will reach the bottom, esp less than 100 fathoms in depth

  5. in waters less than 100 fathoms in depth

  6. in waters more than 100 fathoms in depth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
sounding 2 British  
/ ˈsaʊndɪŋ /

adjective

  1. resounding; resonant

  2. having an imposing sound and little content; pompous

    sounding phrases
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • soundingly adverb
  • soundingness noun

Etymology

Origin of sounding1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English; sound 1 + -ing 2

Origin of sounding2

First recorded 1300–50; Middle English; sound 3, -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This merchant was sounding a lot like the miller.

From Literature

McInnes knows he is privileged to be able to use Ferguson as a sounding board after a glittering managerial career, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues with United.

From Barron's

When it comes to reforming criminals, “success looks like more and more people gravitating to their own journey, their own personal reform,” Newsom said, sounding more like a lifestyle influencer than a presidential contender.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the outlook remains fragile, with economists sounding caution over the longer-term effects of trade conflicts.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a world where country encompasses many genres, Top is known for his more traditional sounding songs including I Never Lie, which was also Grammy nominated.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.