Noise and sound are both general words which designate sensations excited in the ear. Sound is most general, embracing sensations of all qualities, whether loud or soft, pleasant or unpleasant, significant or insignificant: the soft, sibilant sound of two young girls whispering in class; the horrifying sound of a scream in the night; the different sound that two conductors can evoke from one orchestra. Noise , though more specific than sound , is general in its application to all loud, confused or irritating sounds . Noise may consist high-intensity sound from a single source, sound that is loud, harsh, sharp, shrill, strident or grating; the noise of a circular saw; the noise of a vacuum cleaner. Or it may be a confused commingling of clashing sounds : the noise of a construction project, with all the hammering and drilling, the whine of machinery, the shouts of the men. In one sense, noise may be part of the largely unnoticed natural background of existence: office noises . In another sense, noise may designate distracting sounds that annoy because of special sensitivity or circumstances.

• The noise of crumpled chocolate wrappers spoiled the movie’s most dramatic scene; I’m trying to study, please stop rocking that chair – you’re making so much noise .

The word noise may also be applied to neutral sounds that are merely perceived and noted: the soothing noise of water falling; She makes little groaning noises in her sleep.

Din denotes loud noise that goes on without pause, often with maddening or deafening effect. It implies an inescapable onslaught of sound , sometimes involving a painful assault on the eardrums: the shattering din of a jackhammer; the earsplitting din of a factory. Blare is a loud, brassy sound of constant, unremitting intensity. It impinges on the privacy and preoccupies the consciousness: the blare of a loud radio; the blare of a car horn that is tuck. Clatter indicates a rattling sound or a rapid succession of short, sharp noises: the clatter of a cart on cobble-stones; the clatter of a typewriter.

Hubbub designates a general, confused noise, as of many voices busily talking at once: the hubbub in the courtroom before the judge calls for order; the hubbub of the marketplace or stock exchange. Hubbub may also refer to any noise arising from hustle and bustle: He tried to make himself heard above the hubbub of a busy intersection. Clamour implies a loud outcry kept up by insistent voices. It is often expressive of a vehement public protest or demand: the furious clamour of the hungry mob; the clamour of the press for reform; the public clamour for repeal of the law. But clamour may apply also to any noisy commotion or confusion of sounds : the clamour of schoolboys in the playground; the clamour in the fowlyard at feeding time. Uproar refers to an unrestrained outpouring of sound , as in outraged shouting, clamorous protest or boisterous laughter. It implies the spread of turbulence, agitation or excitement through a crowd, with a consequent eruption of noise and disorder.

• His motion threw the meeting into an uproar ; The class fell into uproarious laughter over the professor’s Freudian slip.

Racket implies clatter , clamour or commotion – a loud, percussive sound or a confused combination of noises that gets on the nerves: the racket of hammering; The boys are making so much racket that I can’t hear myself think.