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Noise vs. sound: what’s the difference?

The short answer

Sound is a more general term for anything that can be heard and encompasses all types of auditory waves; it can be pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant. Noise, on the other hand, typically refers to unwanted or unpleasant sounds or a sound that is being disruptive.

What they have in common

Both noise and sound refer to auditory phenomena that are detected by the sense of hearing.

Examples

noise

  • The construction site produced a lot of noise throughout the day.
  • I couldn’t concentrate on my work due to the noise coming from the street.
  • The noise of the traffic kept me awake all night.

sound

  • The sound of the ocean waves is very calming.
  • He heard a strange sound coming from the basement.
  • Musicians work tirelessly to produce beautiful sound.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for “noise” and “sound”

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