/ˈnɔɪzɪz/
Say it backNoises are sounds produced by anything that makes, or produces, audible disturbances. In everyday use, 'noises' often refers to random, distracting sounds, such as rattles or chatter, that can interfere with hearing or concentration. The word may appear in contexts ranging from technical discussions of sound to casual description of background noise.
"The noises from the street kept me awake last night."
"She turned up the volume to drown out the noises outside."
"There were strange noises in the attic, so he checked for a possible rodent presence."
Pronounce as NOY-ziz with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈnɔɪ.zɪz/. Start with an open-mid back rounded vowel /ɔ/ moving toward the diphthong /ɔɪ/ as in 'boy,' then end with /zɪz/ where the final z is a voiced alveolar fricative /z/ followed by a short lax vowel /ɪ/ and final /z/. Lips start rounded for /ɔ/ and glide into the tongue position for /ɔɪ/ before the alveolar closure for /z/.
Common mistakes: 1) Substituting /ɔɪ/ with a pure /ɔ:/ or /oʊ/ leading to 'no-iss' instead of 'noy-iss'. 2) De-voicing the final /z/ to /s/ (noises → 'noises' with s) or over-voicing leading to an exaggerated /z/. 3) Reducing /ɪ/ too much in the final syllable, making it sound like /ɪ/ vs /ɪz/. Correction: keep the diphthong in the first syllable intact, pronounce /z/ clearly as a voiced alveolar fricative, and release the final /z/ with a light vowel before it.
US/UK/AU share the /ˈnoɪ.zɪz/ pattern, but rhoticity can affect preceding vowels in connected speech. In US English, you often hear a slightly pronounced rhoticity in fast speech causing a subtle /ɹ/ coloration beyond the vowel, while UK English may have crisper /z/ with less vowel duration. Australian speech tends to be more monotone with slightly broader vowel quality; /ɔɪ/ is maintained, and final /z/ remains clear, but vowel length can be shorter and flapped in some rapid phrases.
The difficulty stems from the diphthong /ɔɪ/ in the first syllable and the need to maintain a clear voiced /z/ in the final cluster. Many non-native speakers mispronounce the diphthong as a pure /ɔ/ or /oʊ/, or fail to voice the final /z/, turning it into /s/. Practicing the glide from /ɔ/ to /ɔɪ/ while keeping the tongue high-front for the /ɪ/ in the second syllable helps. Finally, ensure a crisp /z/ by slightly constricting the tongue apex to create a clear alveolar fricative.
No silent letters in noises, but the stress falls squarely on the first syllable: NOY-ziz. This word is a classic example of a two-syllable, trochaic pattern with a noticeable diphthong in the first syllable. Understanding that the second syllable carries the reduced vowel /ɪ/ helps you place intonation and rhythm correctly, particularly when used in longer phrases such as ‘ambient noises’ or ‘random noises.’ Learn to keep the first syllable strong while letting the second glide smoothly.
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Noises derives from the Middle English word nois, borrowed from the Old French noise, which itself stems from Latin sonus ‘sound’ (related to Greek phōnē ‘sound’). The plural suffix -es appeared in English to indicate multiple instances of sound. Historically, noises were described in physical and sensory terms, and by the Early Modern period, the term had broadened to include any audible disturbances not attributed to a single identifiable source. Over time, usage expanded from laboratory or technical descriptions of background sound to contemporary everyday speech referring to any extraneous or unwanted sounds. The evolution reflects a shift from objective measurement of sound qualities to subjective perception of nuisance or ambiance, preserving the core meaning of multiple, audible disturbances.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "noises" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "noises"
-ses sounds
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