noisy comparative and superlative

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   the forms 'noisier' and 'noisiest', used to compare how much noise people or things make.

   Grammar: 'Noisy' is a two-syllable adjective ending in -y, so it takes -ier and -iest; the periphrastic forms 'more noisy' and 'most noisy' are possible but much less common.

   Patterns

   • noisier than something
   • the noisiest something

   This bar is noisier than the one next door.

   That was the noisiest party I have ever been to.

   The new machine is noisier than the old one, so we wear earplugs.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   making a lot of noise; full of loud sounds.

   Grammar: Gradable: you can say 'very noisy', 'quite noisy', and compare with 'noisier' and 'noisiest'.

   Patterns

   • noisy place
   • noisy neighbors
   • get noisy

   The classroom was very noisy before the teacher arrived.

   We live near a noisy road, so we keep the windows closed.

   It gets noisy in the cafeteria at lunchtime.

Word forms

Common combinations

noisier than

The city center is noisier than the suburbs.

the noisiest place

The cafeteria is the noisiest place in the school.

much noisier

The new apartment is much noisier than the old one.

get noisier

The streets get noisier as the evening goes on.

Synonyms and how they differ

loud

'Loud' describes a strong sound itself; 'noisy' describes an environment full of many sounds, often unpleasant.

rowdy

'Rowdy' suggests people behaving in a rough, disorderly way, while 'noisy' just means a lot of sound.

Opposites

Word family

noise noun

a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant

noisily adverb

in a way that makes a lot of noise

noisiness noun

the quality of making a lot of noise

Commonly confused: noisy comparative and superlative or noisy?

Practice

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