resound
C1Formal / Literary
Definition
Meaning
To fill a place with a loud, echoing, and often prolonged sound.
To be highly praised, celebrated, or widely reported.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it typically describes sounds that are loud, reverberating, or impressive. The metaphorical use (to be celebrated) is also formal and often used in the passive voice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The word is equally formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries a formal, literary, or dramatic tone in both regions. Often used to describe significant, memorable, or impressive sounds or events.
Frequency
Low to medium frequency in formal writing and speech; uncommon in casual conversation in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Something resounds (intransitive)A place resounds with something (intransitive, + with)To be resounded (passive, metaphorical)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to resound through the ages (to be remembered for a long time)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in formal reports: 'The success of the initiative resounded throughout the industry.'
Academic
Used in history/literature: 'His theories resounded in academic circles for decades.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Might be used for dramatic effect: 'The thunder resounded overhead.'
Technical
Possible in acoustics/physics as a synonym for 'reverberate'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The final whistle resounded around the stadium.
- The hall resounded with the cheers of the crowd.
American English
- Gunshots resounded through the downtown alley.
- Her name resounded in the history books.
adverb
British English
- The crowd cheered resoundingly. (Note: 'resoundingly' is the adverbial form)
- The policy was resoundingly rejected.
American English
- He was resoundingly defeated in the election.
- The idea was resoundingly popular.
adjective
British English
- The appeal was a resounding success. (Note: 'resounding' is the adjectival form)
- They won by a resounding margin.
American English
- The committee gave its resounding approval.
- The test was a resounding failure.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bell resounded through the quiet village.
- Their laughter resounded in the small room.
- The news of the victory resounded across the nation.
- The old castle's halls still resound with tales of its past.
- His groundbreaking speech resounded through the corridors of power for years to come.
- The decision met with resounding criticism from expert panels.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sound happening AGAIN (re-) with great strength. A RESOUNDing victory is so great it echoes everywhere.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS IMPACT / FAME IS A LOUD SOUND (e.g., a resounding success).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'звучать в ответ' или просто 'звучать'. 'Resound' подразумевает именно гул, эхо, наполняющее пространство.
- Прилагательное 'resounding' (оглушительный, полный) используется гораздо чаще, чем глагол 'to resound'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for soft or short sounds. (Incorrect: 'A pin dropped and resounded in the room.')
- Confusing it with 'rebound' (to bounce back).
- Overusing the metaphorical sense in informal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'resound' used METAPHORICALLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not common in everyday casual conversation. It is more frequently found in formal, literary, or descriptive writing.
Rarely and archaically. Its standard modern use is intransitive (e.g., 'The sound resounded') or intransitive with 'with' (e.g., 'The room resounded with laughter').
'Echo' specifically implies a repetition of a sound. 'Reverberate' is more technical, emphasizing the prolongation of sound waves. 'Resound' is broader, emphasizing a loud, impressive, filling quality, and has a strong metaphorical use.
Yes, it is the much more common adjectival form, meaning 'unmistakable; emphatic' (e.g., a resounding yes, a resounding defeat).
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