Boisterous vs. Loud — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 20, 2024
Boisterous conveys a lively, energetic noise often linked with cheerful rowdiness, while loud simply describes a high volume of sound.
Difference Between Boisterous and Loud
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Boisterous noise is typically characterized by vigorous enthusiasm and can be associated with a sense of spirited exuberance, often in social settings. On the other hand, loud refers to any high-volume sound, irrespective of the emotional context.
The term boisterous often implies a positive, albeit noisy, group activity, suggesting a lively interaction among participants. Whereas loud can describe any intense sound, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, social or mechanical.
Boisterousness frequently accompanies occasions like parties or celebrations where groups are involved. In contrast, loudness can be a feature of various environments, from construction sites to concert halls.
While boisterous often has a human element, indicating noisy behavior from people, loud can apply to any source, including machines, music, or natural phenomena like thunder.
Boisterous is generally used in a more specific, often positive context, highlighting the lively aspects of sound. Conversely, loud is more neutral and can be used in both negative and positive contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Emotional Context
Energetic, cheerful, often social
Neutral, can be any emotion
Connotation
Positive, lively
Neutral, varies
Typical Usage
Human activities, gatherings
Any sound source
Sound Implication
Noise with enthusiasm
High volume of sound
Associated Settings
Parties, celebrations
Various, from nature to urban
Compare with Definitions
Boisterous
Full of energetic noise and activity.
The children's boisterous laughter filled the playground.
Loud
Producing or capable of producing much noise; easily audible.
He spoke in a loud voice so everyone could hear.
Boisterous
Loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline.
The party got increasingly boisterous as the night went on.
Loud
Strong or emphatic in expression.
She made her opinions clear with loud protests.
Boisterous
Characterized by or in the manner of robust, loud merrymaking.
A boisterous group of friends sang at the karaoke bar.
Loud
Obtrusive or offensive in a way that is hard to ignore.
The loud pattern of his tie drew everyone's attention.
Boisterous
Marked by or expressing exuberance and high spirits.
The boisterous cheer from the crowd energized the players.
Loud
Characterized by a high volume of sound.
The loud music from the speakers could be heard blocks away.
Boisterous
Exhibiting rowdiness and exuberance in social situations.
Their boisterous banter was a staple at the monthly book club.
Loud
Marked by intensity or volume of sound.
The fireworks were unexpectedly loud and startled the crowd.
Boisterous
Loud or noisy and lively or unrestrained
A boisterous street market.
Loud
Producing or capable of producing much noise
They were kept awake by loud music
His voice is loud and challenging
Boisterous
Rough and stormy; violent
Boisterous winds.
A boisterous voyage.
Loud
With a great deal of volume
They shouted as loud as they could
Boisterous
Full of energy; exuberant; noisy.
Loud
Characterized by high volume and intensity. Used of sound
A loud whistle.
Boisterous
Characterized by violence and agitation; wild; stormy.
Loud
Producing sound of high volume and intensity
A loud construction work site.
Boisterous
Having or resembling animal exuberance.
Loud
Clamorous and insistent
Loud denials.
Boisterous
Rough or rude; unbending; unyielding; strong; powerful.
Loud
Having strikingly bright colors
A loud necktie. See garish.
Boisterous
Exhibiting tumultuous violence and fury; acting with noisy turbulence; violent; rough; stormy.
The waters swell before a boisterous storm.
The brute and boisterous force of violent men.
Loud
Having a very strong or overpowering odor.
Boisterous
Noisy; rough; turbulent; as, boisterous mirth; boisterous behavior.
I like not that loud, boisterous man.
Loud
In a loud manner.
Boisterous
Vehement; excessive.
The heat becomes too powerful and boisterous for them.
Loud
(of a sound) Of great intensity.
Turn that music down; it's too loud.
What was that? It sounded like a really loud sneeze.
Boisterous
Noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline;
A boisterous crowd
A social gathering that became rambunctious and out of hand
A robustious group of teenagers
Beneath the rumbustious surface of his paintings is sympathy for the vulnerability of ordinary human beings
An unruly class
Loud
(of a person, thing, event, etc.) Noisy.
A loud party that went on all night
Boisterous
Full of rough and exuberant animal spirits;
Boisterous practical jokes
Knockabout comedy
Loud
(of a person, event, etc.) Not subtle or reserved, brash.
Boisterous
Violently agitated and turbulent;
Boisterous winds and waves
The fierce thunders roar me their music
Rough weather
Rough seas
Loud
(of clothing, decorations, etc.) Having unpleasantly and tastelessly contrasting colours or patterns; gaudy.
A loud style of dress;
Loud colors
Loud
High-quality; premium; (by extension) having a strong or pungent odour indicating good quality.
Loud
(colloquial) A loud sound or part of a sound.
Loud
High-quality marijuana.
Loud
Loudly.
Loud
Having, making, or being a strong or great sound; noisy; striking the ear with great force; as, a loud cry; loud thunder.
They were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified.
Loud
Clamorous; boisterous.
She is loud and stubborn.
Loud
Emphatic; impressive; urgent; as, a loud call for united effort.
Loud
Ostentatious; likely to attract attention; gaudy; as, a loud style of dress; loud colors.
Loud
With loudness; loudly.
To speak loud in public assemblies.
Loud
Characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity;
A group of loud children
Loud thunder
Her voice was too loud
Loud trombones
Loud
Tastelessly showy;
A flash car
A flashy ring
Garish colors
A gaudy costume
Loud sport shirts
A meretricious yet stylish book
Tawdry ornaments
Loud
Used chiefly as a direction or description in music;
The forte passages in the composition
Loud
With relatively high volume;
The band played loudly
She spoke loudly and angrily
He spoke loud enough for those at the back of the room to hear him
Cried aloud for help
Common Curiosities
Is boisterous noise always loud?
Typically, yes, as it involves high-energy and often loud activities.
Can a machine be described as boisterous?
No, boisterous is generally used to describe human activities.
Is loudness a negative feature?
It can be, depending on the context, though the term itself is neutral.
Can loud be used to describe colors or patterns?
Yes, in a metaphorical sense, describing something as visually striking or garish.
Are all loud sounds boisterous?
No, loud sounds can come from various sources, not necessarily involving boisterous activity.
What is the primary emotional connotation of boisterous?
Boisterous is often associated with positive and lively emotions.
Can loud noises be considered boisterous?
Only if they are part of energetic and cheerful activities.
What types of settings are typically described as loud?
Settings ranging from natural environments with thunder to urban areas with traffic or construction.
Can someone be boisterously quiet?
No, boisterous implies a level of noise and activity incompatible with quietness.
What kind of behavior might be termed boisterous at a social event?
Loud talking, laughter, singing, or games that involve shouting or cheering.
What is an example of a boisterous event?
A lively party or a spirited sports event.
Does loudness imply a certain decibel level?
Yes, loud refers to sounds that are at a high volume, which can be measured in decibels.
Is it negative to describe someone as loud?
It can be perceived negatively, especially if it suggests a lack of subtlety or consideration for others.
How do boisterous and loud differ in a classroom setting?
Boisterous might refer to lively, interactive class activities, while loud could just be high volume, possibly disruptive noise.
Can a library ever be described as boisterous?
Unlikely, as libraries are typically quiet and restrained environments.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
