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Word of the Day
cacophony
A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds; unpleasant noise.
Etymology
From Greek "kakophonia," from "kakos" (bad) + "phone" (sound). Literally "bad sound." The opposite of euphony (pleasant sound).
Usage Examples
"The cacophony of car horns and construction made it impossible to concentrate."
"The orchestra's warm-up created a cacophony before resolving into beautiful harmony."
"Urban life is full of cacophony - sirens, traffic, crowds, and machinery."
Synonyms
- Discord
- Dissonance
- Din
- Racket
- Noise
Fun Facts
- In literature, writers sometimes use cacophonous language intentionally for effect.
- The word itself is somewhat cacophonous when spoken - harsh consonants mirror its meaning.
- Musicians study cacophony to understand what to avoid in composition.
Related Terms
- Euphony: Pleasant, harmonious sounds
- Dissonance: Lack of harmony; tension or clash in musical sounds
- Din: A loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise
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