A - F |
G - M |
N - S |
T - Z |
Index
Format:
entry - keyword
A
aarrgh - pain
ah - interjection
aha - interjection
ah uh ah uh - dog
ah-choo / atchoo
ahem - clearing throat
ahoy - hailing a ship
arf - dog
aroo - wolf
aw - interjection
B
baa - sheep
babble - talk
babbler - bird
badaboom - explosion
barf - vomit
bah - interjection
bam - hit
bamf - X-Men
bang - hit
baraag - elephant
bark - dog
baroom - explosion
bash - strike
bawl - cry out
bay - dog
beep
bellbird - bird
biff - punch
blab / blabber - chatter
blah - silly talk
blam - explosion
blare - loud sound
blast - explosion, wind
bleat - talk, sheep
bleep - tone
bling bling - reflection
blip - short sound
blurp - horn
blurt - to utter
bobolink - bird
bob-white - bird
bomb - explosive
bomp / bop - hit, punch
bonk - hit
bong / dong - bouncing
boo - derision, startle
boo-hoo - crying
boom - explosion, bird
bop / bomp - hit
bow-wow - dog
bray - donkey
brat / bratatat - gun
brekekekex, koax, koax - frog
bringg - phone
brouhaha - uproar
bubble - air, liquid
buffet - blow
buffoon - clown
bumble - blunder
bump - blow
burble - bubbles
burp - belching
burr - "r" pronunciation
buzz
bwak / bwok - hit
bweee - tone
bwok / bwak - hit
bwoom - explosion
bwow-chcka-bwow - guitar
bzzz - insect
C
cackle - chicken, talking
caterwaul - cry, cat
caw - bird
chachalaca - bird
cha-cha(-cha) - dance
cham / champ - chew
chat - converse, bird
chatter
chatterer - bird
chough - bird
cheep -bird
chickadee - bird
chiffchaff - bird
chiming - bells
chink - sharp sound
chirp - bird
chirr - insect
chirrup -
chit-chat - conversation
chitter -
chomp - chew
choo-choo - train
chortle - laugh
chuckle - laugh
chuck-will's-widow
chug - engine
chunk - engine
clack -
clackety-clack - train
clang - metal, bird
clank - metal, engine
clap - sharp noise
claque - hired applauders
clash - collision
clatter - rattling
cliche - stereotyped
click
clickety-clack / click-ety-clack - train
clink - metal
clinker - brick
clip clop - horse
clippity-clop - horse
clitter - insect
clobber - hit / punch
cltkty - vending machine
cluck
cock-a-doodle-doo
common poor-will - bird
coo - bird
cough
crack
crash
creak
cricket - insect
crinkle - crackling, rustle
croak - frog, hoarse cry
croup - disease
crow - rooster cry
crunch - chew, crush
cry - call, weep, trumpet
cuckcoo - bird, clock
curlew - bird
currawong - bird
D
dab - strike
dada - infant
deed-a-reedle - fiddle
dibble dibble dopp dopp - rain
dickcissel - bird species
didgeridoo
ding - metal
ding-dong - bell
d'oh / doh - interjection
dong / bong - bouncing
doo-wop - musical style
dook - ferret
dot a dot dot - rain
drone - bee
duh - interjection
E
eastern phoebe - bird
eastern whipbird - bird
eee-aaaah - donkey
eeeeeee - siren
eeeoooeeeooo - siren
eek eek - squeaky shoe
eeeyouch - pain
eh - interjection
F
fanfare - brass
fap fap fap - masturbating (male)
fash - fend off punch
fillip - snapping fingers
finch - bird
fizz / fizzle
flap - blow, bird's wing
flash - sudden burst
flick - stroke, movement
flick a flack fleck - rain
flicker
flip-flop(s) - footwear
flog - beat
flop - fall
flutter - flap wings
freh, freh, freh - shaking
frou-frou - rustling
G
gabing - hit
gag - to choke
gaggle - cackle of geese
gargle - wash mouth
gasp - punch in stomach
gecko - lizard
gibber(ish)
giggle - laugh
glok, klok - kick
glop - liquid, food
glug - swallowing
gnash - teeth
gnaw - bite
gobble - bird
gong - musical instr
gray-winged trumpeter
great kiskadee - bird
groan
growl - bear
grumble - mutter
grump - growl
grunt - pig
guffaw - laughter
gulp - to swallow
gunko, gunko - wagon
gurgle - bubbling liquid
gwuf, gwuf, gwuf
H
haw - laughter
hee haw - donkey, laugh
he-he - laughter
hem /ahem
hey - interjection
hi - greeting
hiccup / hiccough
hip - united cheer, trendy
hiss
hm(m) - interjection
hmpf / humph / humpf
ho hum - interjection
honk - - bird , car-horn
hoo hoo - bird , owl
hoo hoo hoo hoo
hoopoe - bird
hooray / hurrah
hoot - bird , owl
hottentot - people
howl - wolf
hrrooonnh - bull
huff - exhaling
huh - interjection
hum - murmuring, bee
humph / humpf / hmpf
hurrah / hooray - joy
hush - put at rest
huuuooohar - bull
huuuuuuuuuugh
I
J
jabber - talk
jar - harsh sound, guns
jangle - harsh sound
jingle
jug - guitar
jump - move
K
kaboom - explosion
ka-ching - cash register
kapow - explosion
kashl - cough
kata-kata - footsteps
katydid - insect
kea - bird
killdeer - bird
kirik - breaking metal
kite - bird
kittiwake - bird
klam - punch/hit
klok, glok - kick
klopp klopp klopp
klunk - metal
knack - blow
knell - bell
knock-knock - blow
knot - bird
koink - can of oil
kra, ka, ka, hi - drums
kut-kut-kut - hen
kwok - hit
L
lap - drink, lick
lash - beat
lilt - horn, singing
lisp - speak, sibilant
low - cattle
M
meow - cat
mew - cat
moan
moo - cow
mopoke - bird
morepork - bird
mrow - cat
mrrrrgggggllll - murloc
mum
mumble - speak
munch - chew
murmur
muuhhhrrr - bull
mutter - speak inaudibly
mwahaha - laughter
N
na na, na NA na - interjection
naa - goat
natter - chatter
neener, neener - interjection
neigh - horse
neow - guitar
northern flicker - bird
nyah, nyah - interjection
O
oink - pig
om nom nom - eating
oo oo oo - monkey
ooh - interjection
ook - monkey
oompah - brass
oops - interjection
ouch - pain
ow - pain
owooooah - coyote
P
pad - walk
pah-pa-rah - trumpet
pat - strike
patter - striking sounds
pee-oo-wee - bird
peeper - frog
pew pew - lasergun
pewee / peewee - bird
pewit / peewit - bird
phew - interjection
phoebe - bird
phooey - interjection
pickle-pee - flute
pied currawong - bird
ping - ringing, bullet, tone
ping-pong - table-tennis
pip
pitter-patter - rain
plain chachalaca - bird
plonk - striking sound
plop
plump - landing
plunk
pop - rapping, explosive
pow - blow / collision
prrr/purr - cat
puh-puh-puh - pound
puke - vomit
pump
pump-a-rum - drum
punt - kick
purr/prr - cat
Q
quack - bird
R
rabble - utterance
racket - disturbance
rail - complain
rap - strike
rataplan - drum
ratatatat / rat-a-tat / bratatat - machine gun
rattle -
red knot - bird
reek - metal hinge
ribbit - frog
rinky-dink - banjo music
roar - cry, lion
rooaaarrr - car
rowr - cry
rub-a-dub - drum
rumble - low continuous sound
rustle -
rrrruuuurrrr - bull
S
schlip - slipping
scratch - tear
scream - piercing cry
screamer - bird
screech - cry, car
scritch - screech
scrunch - crunching sound
shashing - sword drawn
shiiiiing - sword drawn
shiiin - silence
shoo - interjection
shoop - hit
shriek - sharp cry
shuh, shuh, shuh
shush - command quiet
shwap - punch
sigh - deep breath
siss - hissing
sizzle - hissing
skirl - shrill sound
skraww - bird
skreek - rat
slam - beat, shut
slap - hit
slobber - noisy
slosh - splash liquid
slump - sink
slurp - eating, drinking
smack - lips
snap
snarl - angry
sneeze - atchoo
sniff - draw air, smelling
sniffle / snuffle - disdain
snikt - Wolverine comic
snip - scissors
snore
snort - pig, horse
sob - breath convulsively
sora - bird
spack a speck speck
splash - dash water
splat - landing
splatt - lightning, thunder
splatter - spatter liquid
splosh - liquid
splut - pie in face
spoing - piano landing
sputter - saliva, words
squabble - altercation
squall - cry out
squawk - bird
squeak - rat
squeal - shrill cry
squirt - eject liquid
squish - squeeze
sssshblamm - explosion
strident - harsh noise
strum - play guitar
stup - landing
suru suru - suck noodles
susurration - whispering
swah / shwah - hit
swash - hit
swish - object moving
swoosh - Nike, rushing
T
ta-da - call attention
takka takka - gun
tap - strike
tattle - falter, stammer
t'chi - arrow
tch, tch, tch - chop
terwit terwoo - bird
throb - beat strongly
thrum - play guitar
thubalup - running horse
thud - hit
thump - strike, engine
thung - blow
thunk - impact
thwack - flogging
thwogg / thwok - kick
thwip - Spiderman
tick - beat
tick tock / tic toc - clock
tintinnabulation - bells
tinkle - ringing, bell
titter - giggle
tlick - clicking tongue
tolling - bells
tom-tom - beating, drum
toot - horn
tootle-too - flute
trill - warbling
trumpeter - bird
tu-whu - bird
tup - landing (jump)
twang - guitar, arrow
tweet - bird
tweeter - loudspeaker
twiddle - touch
twit twoo - bird , owl
twitter - chirping
tzing - bullet
U
uggh - pain, frustration
ugh - coughing
uh-huh - interjection
uh-oh - interjection
untz untz untz - groove
V
varoom - car
veery - bird
viip - moving object
voomp - explosive
vroom - car
vzzzzt - sword
W
waak - bird
wah-wah - music eff.
wahoo - interjection
wallop - noisy movement
wap - hit/blow
weeeoooeee - siren
weep - shed tears
whaam - explosive
whack - strike
wham - blow
whang - hit / punch
whap - abrupt motion
whee - pig
wheeze - breathe
whew - astonishment
whiff - puff
whimper - moan
whine -
whinny - horse
whipbird
whip-poor-will - bird
whirr - move swiftly
whish - sibilant sound
whisper - speak softly
whistle - wind instrument
whit woo - bird, owl
whizz
whoa - pause
whock - hit / punch
whockah - guitar
whomp - explosion
whoop - cry out, siren
whoops - interjection
whooping crane - bird
whooping cough
woops - interjection
whoosh - sibilant sound
whop - strike
whump -
willet - bird
woo-woo-woo - siren
wow - amazement
wuh-uh-uh-uh - mutter
Y
yadda yadda / yada yada - talk
yahoo - interjection, bird
yammer - lament
yap yap - dog
yar - growling
yawp - sharp cry, talk
yay - delight, triumph
yeeha, yeehaw, yee-haw - cowboy
yelp - dog
yeow - pain
yip - bird
yippee - delight, triumph
yodel - singing
yoink - stealing
yoo-hoo - interjection
yoooo - wind
yowl - pain
yowt - pain
yucchh - disgust
yuck - disgust
yuk yuk - laughter
yummy - pleasing
Z
zap - destroy, shooting
zing - humming sound
zip - hissing, humming
zonk - karate chop
zoom - movement
zoomba-zoom - bass
zzzz - sleep
G | ||
| gabing | sound of a flying object hitting someone's head ("Garfield", Jim Davis) | |
| gag | to choke | |
| gaggle | the chatter or cackle of geese | |
| gargle | to wash the mouth with suspended liquid, also: gurgle | |
| gasp | sound produced by victim of punch in the stomach (Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball, manga comic). the original word, meaning "to catch the breath convulsively and audibly (as with shock)" is not directly imitative | |
| gecko | name of lizard species, comes from Malay word "gekoq", imitiative of its call. (link) | |
| gibber(ish) | 1. to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and often foolishly (imitative origin), 2. according to this wikipedia entry, it is also a verb for the sound made by apes/monkeys (as in "while dogs bark, monkeys gibber") | |
| giggle | laugh in a manner suggestive of foolish levity or uncontrollable amusement | |
| glok, klok | sound of a kick against someone's body (head, for example) ("Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball", manga comic by Akira Toriyama), also: bwak, bwok, glok, klam, klok, shwap, thwogg, whack, wham, wap, whap, whop, whump | |
| glop | sound something liquidy and unappetizing hitting a dinner plate | |
| glug | sound of swallowing a drink | |
| gnash | to strike teeth together | |
| gnaw | to bite persistently | |
| gobble | bird vocalization, typically a turkey | |
| gong | metallic disk used as a percussive musical instrument named by the sound produced when struck | |
| gray-winged trumpeter | (Psophia crepitans) bird species found in South America, whose song is a low humming, but its call, as its name suggests, is a very loud JEEK or honking TZAAK, which may be the reason for the name "trumpeter". This bird is kept as a pet by Amerindians, since it is easily tamed, hunts snakes, and is a very efficient sentinel, with its unmissable alarm call. link | |
| great kiskadee | passerine bird (Pitangus sulphuratus) found in southern Texas and middle and south america. this bird is a flycatcher. the voice is described by some sources as dee-kis-ka-dee, by others as BEE-tee-WEE. The latter gives the bird its name in different languages and countries: In Brazilian Portuguese the birds name is bem-te-vi, or bien-te-veo (spanish) meaning ("I've spotted you!"). In El Salvador the bird is known as Cristofue, and in Paraguay as pitogüé. In French it is called tyran quiquivi. link1, link2, video | |
| groan | 1. to utter a loud deep sound of grief or pain, 2. the sound of funeral bells (in the poem "The Bells" by Edgar Allan Poe, 3. sound of drums (in the poem "Lepanto" by G. K. Chesterton: "...For he heard drums groaning and he heard guns jar ..." | |
| growl | a low, guttural, menacing sound made by an animal, such as a bear | |
| grumble | to mutter in discontent | |
| grump | to growl, rumble. Grumpy: surly tempered, making inarticulate noises betokening displeasure | |
| grunt | pig vocalization, the deep short sound characteristic of a hog | |
| guffaw | course boisterous laughter | |
| gulp | to swallow greedily or rapidly in large amounts: gulp down coffee. | |
| gunko, gunko | sound of wagon wheels ("Pedro and the padre", by Verna Aardema) | |
| gurgle | to flow in a broken irregular current, make the sound of bubbling liquid, washing the mouth with suspended liquid (soundclip), also: gargle | |
| gwuf, gwuf, gwuf | sound of footstep ("Pedro and the padre", by Verna Aardema) | |
H | ||
| haw | imitation of laughter, often used to express scorn or disbelief. Often duplicated or triplicated (haw haw or haw haw haw). see special page on laughter | |
| hee haw | 1. bray of a donkey, 2. loud coarse laugh | |
| he-he | laughter, see special page on laughter | |
| hem /ahem | clearing throat | |
| hey | interjection used especially to call attention or to express interrogation, surprise, or exultation | |
| hi | interjection used as a greeting | |
| hiccup / hiccough | spasm of the respiratory organs accompanied by a resonant gasping noise | |
| hip | interjection used to introduce a united cheer (cf. hip-hip-hurrah). in the meaning "trendy" or "informed", it may come from "hep" (african-american slang), of which the origin is not clear | |
| hiss | to make a sharp sibilant sound, produced by geese and snakes, or a cat (when angry/scared) | |
| hm(m) | interjection used in many ways, one of which is to indicate that one is thinking, feeling, introspecting | |
| hmpf / humph / humpf | interjection used to express doubt or contempt | |
| ho hum | interjection used to express weariness, boredom, or disdain | |
| honk | 1. bird vocalization (goose), 2. car-horn | |
| hoo hoo | bird vocalization: the cry of an owl, also: hoot, tu-whu, terwit terwoo, whit woo, twit twoo | |
| hoo hoo hoo hoo | 1. monkey vocalization, also: ook, hoo hoo hoo hoo, oo oo oo, 2. the sound of wind, 3. the sound of a ghost (2 and 3: in the poem "The congo" by Vachel Lindsay "...Like the wind. Hoo, Hoo, Hoo. Listen to the yell of Leopold's ghost..." | |
| hoopoe | name of bird species. imitative origin, but the hoopoe's call is actually a trisyllabic "oop-oop-oop". link (video) | |
| hooray / hurrah | exclamation used to express joy, approval, or encouragement | |
| hoot | bird vocalization, usually the cry of an owl. also: hoo hoo, tu-whu, terwit terwoo, whit woo | |
| hottentot | member of native S. African race. Possibly imitative of the language spoken by the people referred to | |
| howl | prolonged, doleful cry of a wolf | |
| hrrooonnh | this is one of several suggestions in response to the question of how to write the sound of a bull, on wiki-answers. also: muuhhhrrr, rrrruuuurrrr, moo, low, huuuooohar. if you need a verb: bulls "bellow" (not directly imitative) | |
| huff | sound of exhaling, blowing, puffing | |
| huh | interjection used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion, or as an inquiry inviting affirmative reply, also: uh-huh | |
| hum | 1. to make a low inarticulate murmuring sound, 2. a verb for the sound that bees make (eg. "the dog barks, the bee hums"), also: buzz | |
| humph / humpf / hmpf | interjection used to express doubt or contempt | |
| hurrah / hooray | exclamation used to express joy, approval, or encouragement | |
| hush | to put at rest, imitative origin | |
| huuuooohar | this is one of several suggestions in response to the question of how to write the sound of a bull, on wiki-answers. also: rrrruuuurrrr, moo, low, hrrooonnh, muuhhhrrr. if you need a verb: bulls "bellow" (not directly imitative) | |
| huuuuuuuuuugh | cry of a hippopotamus | |
I | ||
J | ||
| jabber | to talk fast and indistinctly, imitative origin | |
| jar | 1. harsh sound, 2. the sound of guns (in the poem "Lepanto" by G. K. Chesterton: "...For he heard drums groaning and he heard guns jar ..." | |
| jangle | to make a harsh metallic sound, or to cause to make a harsh discordant sound | |
| jingle | 1. to make a light clinking or tinkling sound, 2. to rhyme or sound in a catchy repetitious manner | |
| jug | sound of palm-muted power chords on an electric guitar. used in playing "air-guitar". often repetitive (jug jug jug - jug jug jug), typical of the musical style. as in Foo Fighters - "One by One". see also: neow, whockah, bwow-chcka-bwow | |
| jump | to move or be moved off the ground. Possibly imitative of the sound of feet coming into contact with ground when landing | |
K | ||
| kaboom | explosion. also: blam, badaboom, boom, baroom, sssshblamm, kapow | |
| ka-ching | sound of cash register | |
| kapow | explosion | |
| kashl | (pronounced cashel)sound of a rattly, phlegmy cough | |
| kata-kata | sound of running footsteps ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema) | |
| katydid | insect family also known as bush-cricket, long-horned grasshopper, named for the sound produced by the male (north american species) | |
| kea | (Nestor notabilis) name of a parrot species found in the mountains of New Zealand. Raucous cries of "keeaa" often give away the presence of these highly social and inquisitive birds. link | |
| killdeer | bird species named by their typical call | |
| kirik | sound of breaking metal ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema) | |
| kite | old english name for bird of prey, usually a small hawk - probably imitative of its shrill plaintive cry | |
| kittiwake | name for bird genus Rissa, two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae, the Black-legged Kittiwake (R. tridactyla) and the Red-legged Kittiwake (R. brevirostris). The name is derived from its call, a shrill 'kittee-wa-aaake, kitte-wa-aaake' | |
| klam | sound of a punch/hit during a fight ("Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball", manga comic by Akira Toriyama) | |
| klok, glok | sound of a kick against someone's body (head, for example) ("Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball", manga comic by Akira Toriyama), also: bwak, bwok, glok, klam, klok, shwap, thwogg, whack, wham, wap, whap, whop, whump | |
| klopp klopp klopp | sound of a horse, walking (from "Mr. Brown can moo, can you?" by Dr. Seuss) | |
| klunk | sound of heavy metallic objects colliding | |
| knack | sharp blow or sound | |
| knell | sound of a bell struck or rung | |
| knock-knock | sound of striking with a sounding blow. As in knocking on a door | |
| knot | bird species, see red knot | |
| koink | sound of queezing a can of oil to lubricate something ("Garfield", Jim Davis) | |
| kra, ka, ka, hi | sound of drums ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema) | |
| kut-kut-kut | sound of a hen, clucking ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema) | |
| kwok | sound of an earthenware pot being smashed to pieces on the ground ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema) | |
L | ||
| lap | to drink, lick with the tongue | |
| lash | to thrash or beat violently, as in "the rain lashed at the windowpanes" | |
| lash | to move violently or suddenly. also: to dash | |
| lilt | sound of horn, or singing | |
| lisp | to speak with sibilant utterance | |
| low | cattle vocalization | |
M | ||
| meow | cat vocalization | |
| mew | cat vocalization | |
| moan | 1. long low inarticulate murmur, 2. (less common) word describing the sound of doves (as in "The moan of doves in immemorial elms" in the poem "Come Down, O Maid" by Alfred Lord Tennyson), 3. (less common) the sound of wind (in the poem "the night wind", by Eugene Field: "... For the wind will moan in its ruefullest tone: 'Yoooooooo! Yoooooooo! Yoooooooo!' ...") | |
| moo | cow vocalization | |
| mopoke | bird species also called Morepork, in Australia, two bird species known elsewhere as the tawny frogmouthlink | |
| morepork | bird species also called mopoke or frogmouth | |
| mrow | cat vocalization | |
| mrrrrgggggllll | sound made by murlocs (creatures in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) World of Warcraft. also: mrclughluhlua, maagluuuuughhhhhh, mrglmrglmrglmrgl, aurrrrrrrrruuuuggguglugglugglugluguaa (according to players) | |
| mum | sound with closed lips not wanting to speak | |
| mumble | to speak indistinctly | |
| munch | to chew steadily | |
| murmur | 1. subdued continuous sound (often human voices), 2. to murmur, (less common) verb describing the sound of a swarm of bees or flies (as in "murmuring of innumerable bees", from the poem "Come Down, O Maid" by Alfred Lord Tennyson) | |
| muuhhhrrr | this is one of several suggestions in response to the question of how to write the sound of a bull, on wiki-answers. also: rrrruuuurrrr, moo, low, hrrooonnh, huuuooohar. if you need a verb: bulls "bellow" (not directly imitative) | |
| mutter | to speak almost inaudibly with closed lips | |
| mwahaha | sound of laughter, this is usually an evil sounding laugh. see more on laughter page | |
| --- | ||