"Bullhorn" vs. "loudspeaker": what sets them apart?

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 31/08/2025, 12:24

English.me team member

Bullhorn and loudspeaker. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "bullhorn" and "loudspeaker" refer to devices that amplify sound and are used to make speech or audio louder so that it can be heard over a distance or in a noisy environment.

What is different?

"Bullhorn" typically refers to a handheld, portable device (also known as a megaphone) shaped like a cone, used to project the user's voice. "Loudspeaker" is a general term for any device that converts electrical signals into sound, including installed speakers used in public address systems, music systems, or electronic devices. Not all loudspeakers are bullhorns, and not all are handheld or portable.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Bullhorn

The coach yelled instructions through a bullhorn during practice.
She used a bullhorn to address the crowd at the protest.
Security personnel carried bullhorns to direct people during the evacuation.

Loudspeaker

Music played from the loudspeakers at the stadium.
An announcement was made over the loudspeaker system.
The teacher used a loudspeaker to talk to students in the large hall.