sound|card /saʊ ndkɑː r d/ (soundcards ) N‑COUNT A soundcard is a piece of equipment which can be put into a computer so that the computer can produce music or other sounds. [COMPUTING ]
sou nd ef|fect (sound effects ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Sound effects are the sounds that are created artificially to make a play more realistic, especially a radio play.
sou nd en|gi|neer (sound engineers ) N‑COUNT A sound engineer is a person who works in a recording studio or for a radio or television company, and whose job it is to alter and balance the levels of different sounds as they are recorded. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use sound mixer
sound|ing /saʊ nd I ŋ/ (soundings )
1 N‑SING The sounding of a bell or a horn is the act of causing it to make a sound. □ There were 15 minutes between the first air raid alert and the sounding of the all-clear signal.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you take soundings , you try to find out people's opinions on a subject. □ [+ of ] She will take soundings of the people's wishes before deciding on a course of action.
-sounding /-saʊnd I ŋ/
1 COMB -sounding combines with adjectives to indicate a quality that a word, phrase, or name seems to have. □ Many literary academics simply parrot a set of impressive-sounding phrases. □ …faraway places with strange-sounding names.
2 → see also high-sounding
sou nd|ing board (sounding boards ) N‑COUNT If you use someone as a sounding board , you discuss your ideas with them in order to get another opinion. □ He needed a sounding board rather than thinking alone.
sound|less /saʊ ndləs/ ADJ Something that is soundless does not make a sound. [LITERARY ] □ My bare feet were soundless over the carpet. ● sound|less|ly ADV □ Joe's lips moved soundlessly.
sound|ly /saʊ ndli/
1 ADV [ADV -ed] If someone is soundly defeated or beaten, they are severely defeated or beaten. □ Duke was soundly defeated in this month's Louisiana governor's race.
2 ADV [ADV -ed] If a decision, opinion, or statement is soundly based, there are sensible or reliable reasons behind it. [APPROVAL ] □ Changes must be soundly based in economic reality.
3 ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] If you sleep soundly , you sleep deeply and do not wake during your sleep. □ How can he sleep soundly at night? □ She was too soundly asleep to hear Stefano's return.
sou nd mix|er (sound mixers ) N‑COUNT A sound mixer is a person who works in a recording studio or for a radio or television company, and whose job it is to alter and balance the levels of different sounds as they are recorded.
sound|proof /saʊ ndpruːf/ (soundproofs , soundproofing , soundproofed ) also sound-proof
1 ADJ A soundproof room, door, or window is designed to prevent all sound from getting in or out. □ The studio isn't soundproof.
2 VERB If you soundproof a room, you line it with special materials to stop all sound from getting in or out. □ [V n] We've soundproofed our home studio.
sou nd stage (sound stages ) also sound-stage , soundstage N‑COUNT A sound stage is a stage or set which is suitable for recording sound, especially for a film.
sou nd sys|tem (sound systems ) N‑COUNT A sound system is a set of equipment for playing recorded music, or for making a band's music able to be heard by everyone at a concert.
sound|track /saʊ ndtræk/ (soundtracks ) also sound track N‑COUNT The soundtrack of a film is its sound, speech, and music. It is used especially to refer to the music.
sou nd wave (sound waves ) also soundwave N‑COUNT Sound waves are the waves of energy that we hear as sound.
soup /suː p/ (soups ) N‑VAR Soup is liquid food made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables in water. □ …home-made chicken soup.
sou p kitch|en (soup kitchens ) also soup-kitchen N‑COUNT A soup kitchen is a place where homeless people or very poor people are provided with free food.
sou p plate (soup plates ) N‑COUNT A soup plate is a deep plate with a wide edge in which soup is served.
sou p spoon (soup spoons ) N‑COUNT A soup spoon is a spoon used for eating soup. The bowl-like part at the end of it is round.
soupy /suː pi/ ADJ Soupy things are like soup or look like soup. □ …swirling soupy water.
sour /saʊə r / (sours , souring , soured )
1 ADJ Something that is sour has a sharp, unpleasant taste like the taste of a lemon. □ The stewed apple was sour even with honey.
2 → see also sweet and sour
3 ADJ Sour milk is milk that has an unpleasant taste because it is no longer fresh.
4 ADJ Someone who is sour is bad-tempered and unfriendly. □ She made a sour face in his direction. ● sour|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Leave my mother out of it,' he said sourly.
5 ADJ If a situation or relationship turns sour or goes sour , it stops being enjoyable or satisfactory. □ Even the European dream is beginning to turn sour. □ Their songs are filled with tales of love gone sour.
6 VERB If a friendship, situation, or attitude sours or if something sours it, it becomes less friendly, enjoyable, or hopeful. □ [V n] If anything sours the relationship, it is likely to be real differences in their world-views. □ [V ] Her mood soured a little.