noisy

Noisy is an adjective describing something that produces or is filled with a lot of noise or loud, disruptive sounds. It can refer to an environment, an object such as machinery, or to a situation in which background sounds complicate perception. In everyday speech, something considered noisy is often unwanted or bothersome.

In everyday use, "noisy" describes places like streets, rooms, or events with high sound levels, as well as individuals or crowds that talk loudly or cause disturbance. A noisy restaurant, a noisy playground, or a noisy party are common examples.

In technical contexts, "noisy" has a more precise meaning: a signal or measurement that contains random variation or interference beyond the desired information. Engineers talk about the signal-to-noise ratio, noise floors, and noisy channels in communications, as well as noisy data or observations in statistics and science. Noise considerations influence design choices in audio equipment, sensors, and data analysis.

Related terms include noise pollution, noise reduction, and noise-canceling technologies. Noisy is also used metaphorically to describe anything that distracts or obscures clarity, such as a noisy argument or a noisy debate.