Written Sound - Onomatopoeia dictionary

exclamation expressing pain. there is a webpage dedicated to the many different spellings of aargh on the web. The top five most common spellings is argh, aargh, aaargh, arrgh, arrrgh.

keywords human pain

aw

interjection used to express mild disappointment, gentle entreaty, or real or mock sympathy or sentiment

keywords human

awk

Sound uttered by a person choking. Also gak, argh, gasp

keywords disease eat_drink pain human animal

B

babble

1. to talk enthusiastically or excessively, 2. to utter meaningless or unintelligible sounds. imitative origin.

keywords human

badonkadonk

Extremely curvaceous female buttocks. Urban dictionary: When the immense, rounded muscle tissue of the rear creates a sound wave ripping through the local environment making a pressure wave against the ear drum in a pleasing Ba-dOnk-a-dOnk rhythm. Also: A womens derriere that has the shape of, and bounces like a basketball. The word is derived from the sound produced when you bounce a basketball. A case of the sound of one urban icon, naming another urban icon with similar propensities but that doesn't really make a sound.

keywords human

bah

interjection used to express disdain or contempt

keywords human

bawl

to cry out loudly and unrestrainedly. From baulare (Medieval Latin) or baula (Old Norse), imitative origin.

keywords human animal

blab / blabber

loose chatter

keywords human

blah

nonsense, silly talk

keywords human

blurt

to utter abruptly and impulsively, as in "to blurt out the first word that comes to mind"

keywords human

boo

1. used to express derision, disapproval 2. Used to startle someone, when said loudly and abruptly

keywords human

boo-hoo

crying

keywords human

Boosh

A word that describes the sound of an explosion; an expression used to express awesomeness. Ex. (1) We lit the gas can on fire, and it went "BOOSH!". (2) When Tamera aced the test, we heard her shout, "BOOSH!" in celebration. Urban Dictionary - Thanks to students of Ms. Lane's 7th grade class!

keywords explosion human

brouhaha

hubbub, uproar

keywords human

burp

the act of belching

keywords human human eat_drink

burr

uvular pronounciation of the letter "r"

keywords human

buzz

1. a sibilant humming sound, like a bee (also: bzzz, hum) 2. the sound of a buzzer 3. a confusion of activity and gossip, chatter, talk. Also used as a verb "the bees were buzzing", "he buzzed a servant"

keywords human animal tone

C

cackle

1. the sound made by a hen after laying an egg, 2. talking in a cackling manner, probably has partial imitative origin

keywords human animal bird

cham / champ

to chew noisily

keywords human eat_drink

chat

to converse easily and familiarly. also a name for small birds, such as the warbler

keywords human animal bird

chatter

quick repeated sounds (by birds or humans)

keywords human animal bird

chit-chat

light, informal conversation

keywords human

chomp

to chew or bite something

keywords human eat_drink animal

cliche

stereotyped phrase (imitative origin, from the sound of dropping the matrix on the molten metal)

keywords human

click

1. slight sharp sound, eg. camera making a photo. 2. nonvocal suction sound in some languages, 3. to talk noisily or rapidly. The sound made by dolphins is also called "clicking".
In the media: click it or ticket is the name and slogan of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign aimed at increasing the use of seat belts among young people in the United States. Also: "clunk click, every trip (click the seatbelt on after clunking the car door closed; UK campaign) and: "click, clack, front and back" (click, clack of connecting the seatbelts; AU campaign)

keywords human animal automotive

cough

to expel air noisily from the lungs, usually to expel fluids that resonate during breathing

keywords human disease

croon

1. To hum or sing softly. 2. To sing popular songs in a soft, sentimental manner. 3. (Scottish) To roar or bellow. Possibly of imitative origin. Originally "to bellow like a bull" as well as "to utter a low, murmuring sound" Etymonline

keywords human music animal

croup

throat-disease with a sharp, barking cough. imitative origin

keywords human disease

crunch

1. to chew with a noisy crackling sound, 2. to crush, grind, or tread noisily

keywords human eat_drink animal crack

crunch, crunch, crunch

sound of footsteps on gravel, stones

keywords human stones

cry

1. to call loudly, 2. to weep, 3. verb for the sound of a trumpet (in the poem "Lepanto" by G. K. Chesterton: "... Don John calling through the blast and the eclipse, crying with the trumpet, with the trumpet of his lips"

keywords human music

D

d'oh / doh

interjection used to express sudden recognition of a foolish blunder or an ironic turn of events, popularized by The Simpsons tv cartoon series, in which main character Homer uses it often

keywords human

dada

vocal sound produced by a human infant

keywords human

duh

interjection used to express actual or feigned ignorance or stupidity, also used derisively to indicate that something just stated is all too obvious or self-evident

keywords human

E

eh

interjection used to ask for confirmation or repetition or to express inquiry ; used especially in Canadian English in anticipation of the listener's or reader's agreement

keywords human

F

fap fap fap

Sound of masturbating (male)

keywords human

fart

(possibly of imitative origin, but debatable) English language vulgarism most commonly used in reference to flatulence. Onomatopoeia for farts have been suggested in various internet forums in response to questions of people who needed a word to describe the sound: eg. here and here. The suggested words include brrt, braaah, THPPTPHTPHPHHPH (Calvin and Hobbes), phhhhhhrt, PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP, pff, prtrtrtrgurtrufnasutututut, prrrt, PFFT!, PHHhhhh..., SPLPLPLLLP, WHOooooffff, poot, prrrrrrrvt, scraeft, ppppppwwarrrrppppp, pllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooaaa..., RRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPP, fuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrt, thhhppbbbb, verrrrrrrrrnnnnnntttttt, hooooooooooooooooooooooooonk, pbpbpbpbp, frr frr frrrrrr rampooooooooo ag, pppppppptttttttttttttttttttttttt, flurpppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp... Also, according to many responders it depends on the fart (farting can make many possible sounds).

keywords human gas

flatulence

See fart. (The word "flatulence" is not an onomatopoeia)

keywords human gas

flibbertigibbet

A flighty or whimsical person, usually a young woman. In modern use, it is used as a slang term, especially in Yorkshire, for a gossipy or overly talkative person. Its origin is in a meaningless representation of chattering.

keywords human conversation

flip-flop(s)

footwear named by sound produced when walking in them

keywords misc movement human

Fnarr! Fnarr!

a ribald laugh to draw attention to a double entendre. From Viz magazine comic strip Finbarr Saunders (thanks, Patz Gardiner)

keywords laughing human

G

gag

to choke

keywords human disease eat_drink animal

gasp

sound produced by victim of punch in the stomach (Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball, manga comic). the original word, meaning "to catch the breath convulsively and audibly (as with shock)" is not directly imitative

keywords human hard_hit

gibber(ish)

1. to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and often foolishly (imitative origin), 2. according to this wikipedia entry, it is also a verb for the sound made by apes/monkeys (as in "while dogs bark, monkeys gibber")

keywords human animal

giggle

laugh in a manner suggestive of foolish levity or uncontrollable amusement

keywords human laughter

glop

sound something liquidy and unappetizing hitting a dinner plate

keywords human eat_drink

glug

sound of swallowing a drink

keywords human eat_drink

gnash

to strike teeth together

keywords human animal

gnaw

to bite persistently

keywords human eat_drink animal

groan

1. to utter a loud deep sound of grief or pain, 2. the sound of funeral bells (in the poem "The Bells" by Edgar Allan Poe, 3. sound of drums (in the poem "Lepanto" by G. K. Chesterton: "...For he heard drums groaning and he heard guns jar ..."

keywords human human pain music

grumble

to mutter in discontent

keywords human

grump

to growl, rumble. Grumpy: surly tempered, making inarticulate noises betokening displeasure

keywords human

grunt

pig vocalization, the deep short sound characteristic of a hog

keywords human animal

guffaw

course, hearty, boisterous laughter, belly laugh

keywords human laughter

gulp

to swallow greedily or rapidly in large amounts. e.g. "she gulps down a whole mug of coffee".

keywords human eat_drink

gwuf, gwuf, gwuf

sound of footstep ("Pedro and the padre", by Verna Aardema)

keywords human movement

H

HA-ha!

signature laugh of Nelson, a character from The Simpsons. Nelson is a bully at Bart Simpson's school, and he laughs at anyone who is in danger. His laugh is also written as "Haw-Haw!". link to sound

keywords human laughter

harumph

Interjection, an expression of disdain, disbelief, protest, or dismissal; a huff, grunt, or snort. also: harumpf

keywords interjection human

haw

laughter, often used to express scorn or disbelief. Often duplicated or triplicated (haw haw or haw haw haw)

keywords human laughter

he-he

laughter

keywords human laughter

hee haw

1. bray of a donkey, 2. loud coarse laugh

keywords human laughter

hem /ahem

clearing throat

keywords human

hey

interjection used especially to call attention or to express interrogation, surprise, or exultation

keywords human

hi

interjection used as a greeting

keywords human

hiccup / hiccough

spasm of the respiratory organs accompanied by a resonant gasping noise

keywords human human eat_drink

hip

interjection used to introduce a united cheer (cf. hip-hip-hurrah). in the meaning "trendy" or "informed", it may come from "hep" (african-american slang), of which the origin is not clear

keywords human

hm(m)

interjection used in many ways, one of which is to indicate that one is thinking, feeling, introspecting

keywords human

hmpf / humph / humpf

interjection used to express doubt or contempt

keywords human

ho hum

interjection used to express weariness, boredom, or disdain

keywords human

hock

sound of clearing one's throat

keywords human

hooray / hurrah

exclamation used to express joy, approval, or encouragement

keywords human

hottentot

member of native S. African race. Possibly imitative of the language spoken by the people referred to

keywords human

howl

prolonged, doleful cry, typically of a wolf, but can be human or monkey too.

keywords animal human

huh

interjection used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion, or as an inquiry inviting affirmative reply, also: uh-huh

keywords human

humph / humpf / hmpf

interjection used to express doubt or contempt

keywords human

hurrah / hooray

exclamation used to express joy, approval, or encouragement

keywords human

hush

to put at rest, stop talking, make quiet

keywords human

J

jabber

to talk fast and indistinctly, imitative origin

keywords human

K

kashl

(pronounced cashel)sound of a rattly, phlegmy cough

keywords human disease crack

kata-kata

sound of running footsteps ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema)

keywords human movement

kish-kish

the sound of ice skates during a game of hockey (ref)

keywords ice movement human skating sports

Krrrrrrrr

Sound of a skateboarder skateboarding. Skateboarder doing a trick: "Krrrrrrrr, snap! (pause) Crack! Krrrrrrrr..." user Mikemega on answerbag.com

keywords movement human sport toy

L

lap

to drink, lick with the tongue

keywords human animal liquid

lisp

to speak with sibilant utterance

keywords human

M

moan

1. long low inarticulate murmur, 2. (less common) word describing the sound of doves (as in "The moan of doves in immemorial elms" in the poem "Come Down, O Maid" by Alfred Lord Tennyson), 3. (less common) the sound of wind (in the poem "the night wind", by Eugene Field: "... For the wind will moan in its ruefullest tone:

keywords human human pain disease weather

mum

sound with closed lips not wanting to speak

keywords human

mumble

to speak indistinctly

keywords human

munch

to chew steadily

keywords human eat_drink animal

murmur

1. subdued continuous sound (often human voices), 2. to murmur, (less common) verb describing the sound of a swarm of bees or flies (as in "murmuring of innumerable bees", from the poem "Come Down, O Maid" by Alfred Lord Tennyson)

keywords human

mutter

to speak almost inaudibly with closed lips

keywords human

N

natter

to chatter aimlessly

keywords human

O

ooh

interjection used to express amazement, joy, or surprise

keywords human

oooaughoaua

coughing sound, used by a recurring character named Lorraine from the TV show Mad TV. She makes this sound when clearing her throat, also perhaps in disgust and/or satisfaction as well as in times of awkward silence to ease the tension. It is normally accompanied with a saying such as "god that's cute" while she unknowingly destroys the property of others when checking things out. Laymen can make this sound as well in their everyday life to add comedic relief to a conversation making references to Lorraine, as well as to describe something disgusting. Video: Clip 1, Clip 2, Clip 3.

keywords human

oops

interjection used typically to express mild apology, surprise, or dismay, also: woops, whoops

keywords human

ouch

interjection expressing pain or displeasure

keywords human pain

ow

a typical exclamation expressing pain

keywords human pain

P

phew

1. used to express relief or fatigue 2. used to express disgust at or as if at an unpleasant odor

keywords human

phooey

interjection used to express repudiation or disgust

keywords human

psst

sound uttered to get a person's attention without alerting others, to tell a secret for example. often followed by whispering

keywords human

puke

to vomit, of imitative origin

keywords human disease

R

rabble

to utter words in a rapid and confused manner

keywords human

rail

to complain

keywords human

raspberry

short for raspberry tart, rhyming slang for fart: a sound of contempt made by protruding the tongue between the lips and expelling air forcibly to produce a vibration; broadly : an expression of disapproval or contempt. Also "rasp", "razz" or "Bronx cheer". As in "blowing a raspberry", "making a Bronx cheer". Ref: thesneeze , wikipedia.

keywords human gas crack

S

scream

to utter a shrill piercing cry. note: the vocalization of eagles is often called screaming, although according to this wikipedia article, Bald Eagles normally squeak and have a shrill cry, punctuated by grunts, and the scream that is found in films this is usually the call of a Red-tailed Hawk, dubbed into films for dramatic effect.

keywords human animal

screech

1. a high shrill piercing cry usually expressing pain or terror, 2. the high pitched sound the tires of a car make when it turns at high speed

keywords human human pain animal engine automotive movement crack

scritch

a screech

keywords human animal crack

shazam

exclamation used to introduce an extraordinary deed, story, or transformation - - She prayed for his arrival and shazam! There he was. Shazam is also the name of the wizard in Captain Marvel comics and the title of Marvel comic books.

keywords exclamation human voice surprise

shoo

interjection used especially in driving away an unwanted animal

keywords human animal

shriek

to utter a loud sharp cry, screech

keywords human animal

shuffle, shuffle, shuffle

footsteps of someone who does not fully lift feet off the ground while walking (old / injured)

keywords walking human

shuh, shuh, shuh

sound of swimming ("Borreguita and the Coyote: A Tale from Ayutla, Mexico", by Verna Aardema)

keywords human animal movement liquid

sigh

to emit a deep breath, sometimes expressing weariness

keywords human

skrrreeek

sound of nails on a blackboard (ref)

keywords nails human school scratch crack

slobber

to behave (feed) in a careless noisy fashion

keywords human eat_drink animal

slurp

to make a sucking noise while eating or drinking

keywords human eat_drink animal

sneeze

to make an explosive noise to clear the nostrils, probably of imitative origin, see also atchoo

keywords human disease animal

sniff

to draw air audibly up the nose especially for smelling

keywords human eat_drink animal gas

sniffle / snuffle

to show or express disdain or scorn

keywords human

snore

to snort, to make harsh noises through nose and mouth while sleeping

keywords human animal

sob

to catch the breath convulsively, usually when crying

keywords human

squabble

a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters

keywords human

squall

to cry out loudly

keywords human

squeal

to utter a short shrill cry or noise

keywords human animal

squelch

1. to strike or press with crushing force; crush down; squash. 2. to put down, suppress, or silence, as with a crushing retort or argument. 3. to make a splashing sound. 4. to tread heavily in water, mud, wet shoes, etc., with such a sound.

keywords crack human animal liquid

suru suru

sound of noodles being sucked (manga)

keywords human eat_drink

susurration

sound of whispering

keywords human

T

ta-da / ta-dah

interjection, used as mock fanfare to call attention to something remarkable

keywords human

tack, tack, tack / tap, tap, tap

sound of thin high heels / pumps

keywords walking human

tattle

1. to gossip, 2. to chatter aimlessly (imitative origin)

keywords human

thisshig rrrerrk

sounds coming out of the loudspeaker in the subway during an important announcement (ref)

keywords human voice electronic static noise crack

titter

sound of suppressed giggle

keywords human

tlick

sound of clicking with the tongue ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema)

keywords human

tsk

pronounced as an alveolar click; often in quick repetition, as an exclamation of contempt, disdain, impatience, etc.

keywords human

U

uggh

exclamation expressing pain, frustration or annoyance

keywords human human pain

ugh

1. sound of coughing, 2. used to indicate the sound of a cough or grunt or to express disgust or horror

keywords human human disease

uh-huh

interjection used to indicate affirmation, agreement, or gratification, also: huh

keywords human

uh-oh

interjection used to indicate dismay or concern

keywords human

W

wahoo

interjection used to express exuberance or enthusiasm or to attract attention

keywords human

weep

to shed tears

keywords human

wheeze

to breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound

keywords human disease animal

whew

exclamation of astonishment or relief making a whistling sound

keywords human

whimper

to moan

keywords human

whine

to utter a low somewhat shrill protracted sound

keywords human

whisper

to speak softly under one's breath

keywords human

whoa

1. command to stop (horse) 2. command to slow an action or thought, often used to express alarm or astonishment

keywords human animal

whooping cough

an infection of the respiratory system caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis (or B. pertussis). It's characterized by severe coughing spells that end in a "whooping" sound when the person breathes in

keywords human disease

whoops

interjection used typically to express mild apology, surprise, or dismay, also: oops, woops

keywords human

woops

interjection used typically to express mild apology, surprise, or dismay, also: oops, whoops

keywords human

wow

interjection used to express amazement

keywords human

wuh-uh-uh-uh

the sound of someone muttering, grunting, in protest (in Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa, by Verna Aardema)

keywords human

Y

yackety-yak

noisy talk. Alternative spelling: 'yakety yak'. Also the title of a famous song by doo-wop group the Coasters (1958).

keywords human music

yadda yadda / yada yada

boring or empty talk - often used interjectionally especially in recounting words regarded as too dull or predictable to be worth repeating

keywords human

yahoo

1. interjection used to express positive excitement or to attract attention, also: yoo-hoo, 2. popular name for the Grey-crowned Babbler (see babbler)

keywords human animal bird

yammer

to lament

keywords human

yawp

1. to utter a sharp cry; yelp. 2. to talk loudly, raucously, or coarsely.

keywords human human pain

yay

interjection used to express exuberant delight or triumph

keywords human

yeeha, yeehaw, yee-haw

the traditional cry of a cowboy, often as an expression of positive excitement, similar to yahoo

keywords human

yeow

exclamation expressing pain

keywords human pain

yikes

interjection expressing shock and alarm, often for humorous effect: "Yikes! It is cold!"

keywords human

yippee

interjection used to express exuberant delight or triumph

keywords human

yoink

the "sound" of someone stealing something. the word is spoken to make obvious or humorous the playful theft of an item in front of others. (e.g. "you shouldn't leave your wallet lying around like that...Yoink!". used often in the cartoon series "the Simpsons")

keywords misc human animal movement

yoo-hoo

interjection used to attract attention, also: yahoo

keywords human

yowl

to cry loudly with pain, caterwaul, howl

keywords human pain animal

yucchh

exclamation expressing disgust

keywords human eat_drink

yuck

exclamation expressing disgust. Sometimes "yuck yuck" is used as the sound of laughter, but for that "yuk yuk" is used more often