If you stand on a busy street corner in a city and close your eyes, you’re bound to hear lots of noise.
The cars are honking, people are chattering, and the roar of construction never fades — it’s a perfect cacophony of sounds.
But as chaotic as cacophony sounds, it just has that right amount of chaos.
Here’s what you need to know about the word “cacophony.”
What is the definition of ‘cacophony?’
A “cacophony” is defined as a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
It is a noun that not only can be attributed to the sounds themselves, but it can also refer to harshness in the sound of words or phrases.
It can also refer to an incongruous or chaotic mixture of things.
How is ‘cacophony’ pronounced?
The word “cacophony” is pronounced /kuh-kaa-fuh-nee/.
How can you use ‘cacophony’ in a sentence?
The debate quickly descended into a cacophony of voices, each one trying to shout louder than the last.
She couldn’t sleep through the cacophony of city life — sirens, barking dogs and blaring televisions.
Instead of harmony, the band’s rehearsal erupted into a cacophony of clashing notes and offbeat rhythms.
What is the origin of ‘cacophony?’
“Cacophony” has its roots in Greek.
It is a combination of the Greek prefix “kak-,” which means “bad,” and “phōnḗ,” which means “sound,” according to Merriam-Webster.
So if you put the two Greek roots together, the word translates into English as “bad sound.”
What famous movie or book uses the word ‘cacophony?’
Fans of the dystopian science fiction novel “Fahrenheit 451″ by Ray Bradbury might recognize the use of the term to describe the chaotic and unpleasant sensory overload that the main character, Guy Montag, deals with in society.
“You drowned in music and pure cacophony,” the passage says.
What famous quote from a historical figure uses the word ‘cacophony?’
Those who are familiar with the historical figure Archbishop Desmond Tutu might recognize this quote:
“Out of the cacophony of random suffering and chaos that can mark human life, the life artist sees or creates a symphony of meaning and order, he said. ”A life of wholeness does not depend on what we experience. Wholeness depends on how we experience our lives.”
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