Is 'soundscape' a new word?

Relatively new. It was coined in the late 1960s by Canadian composer and environmentalist R. Murray Schafer.

Can 'soundscape' be a verb?

Yes, though less common. It means to design or create the auditory environment of a space.

What's the difference between 'soundscape' and 'ambience'?

'Ambience' refers to the general background atmosphere or mood, which can include non-sonic elements. 'Soundscape' is specifically focused on the auditory component.

Is it one word or two ('sound scape')?

It is a closed compound word: 'soundscape'.

Is “soundscape” formal?

Soundscape is usually formal/academic/artistic in register.

How do you pronounce “soundscape”?

Soundscape: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaʊndskeɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaʊndskeɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

soundscape: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈsaʊndskeɪp/US/ˈsaʊndskeɪp/

Formal/Academic/Artistic

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “soundscape” mean?

The complete auditory environment of a particular place or situation.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The complete auditory environment of a particular place or situation.

A composition or creative manipulation of environmental sounds; the acoustic character of a location as perceived by listeners.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is nearly identical. More common in British academic discourse on urban environments.

Connotations

Neutral to positive; implies thoughtful consideration of auditory environment.

Frequency

Low-frequency in everyday speech, moderate in specialized fields.

Grammar

How to Use “soundscape” in a Sentence

[verb] + soundscape: create/compose/analyse/preserve + soundscape[adjective] + soundscape: auditory/acoustic/urban + soundscape

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

urban soundscapenatural soundscapeacoustic soundscapecreate a soundscape

medium

rich soundscapechanging soundscapesoundscape designsoundscape ecology

weak

busy soundscapedigital soundscapepersonal soundscapecomplex soundscape

Examples

Examples of “soundscape” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The artist sought to soundscape the gallery using recordings from the Scottish Highlands.

American English

The designer was hired to soundscape the new hotel lobby with subtle, calming audio.

adjective

British English

The soundscape analysis revealed worrying levels of low-frequency traffic noise.

American English

Her soundscape composition won an award for innovative use of field recordings.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in marketing for experiential retail or office design.

Academic

Common in environmental science, musicology, and urban planning research.

Everyday

Rare; might be used by audiophiles or in artistic discussions.

Technical

Used in audio engineering, film production, and ecological surveying.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “soundscape”

Strong

auditory landscapesonic atmosphere

Neutral

acoustic environmentsound environment

Weak

sound worldaudio backdrop

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “soundscape”

silencesound vacuum

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “soundscape”

Using 'soundscape' to refer to a single sound (it's the collective whole).
Confusing with 'soundtrack' (which is composed music/sound for media).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Relatively new. It was coined in the late 1960s by Canadian composer and environmentalist R. Murray Schafer.
: Yes, though less common. It means to design or create the auditory environment of a space.
: 'Ambience' refers to the general background atmosphere or mood, which can include non-sonic elements. 'Soundscape' is specifically focused on the auditory component.
: It is a closed compound word: 'soundscape'.
: The complete auditory environment of a particular place or situation.
: Soundscape is usually formal/academic/artistic in register.
: Soundscape: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaʊndskeɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaʊndskeɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“To paint a soundscape”
“To be immersed in a soundscape”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a landscape you hear instead of see: a 'sound-scape'.

Conceptual Metaphor

SOUND IS A LANDSCAPE (we navigate, map, and inhabit auditory spaces).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The documentary used a complex of city noises to convey the feeling of urban life.

Multiple Choice

Which field would LEAST commonly use the term 'soundscape' in a technical sense?