A - F |
G - M |
N - S |
T - Z |
Index
Format:
entry - keyword
A
aarrgh - pain
ah - interjection
aha - interjection
ah uh ah uh - dog
ah-choo / atchoo
ahem - clearing throat
ahoy - hailing a ship
arf - dog
aroo - wolf
aw - interjection
B
baa - sheep
babble - talk
babbler - bird
badaboom - explosion
barf - vomit
bah - interjection
bam - hit
bamf - X-Men
bang - hit
baraag - elephant
bark - dog
baroom - explosion
bash - strike
bawl - cry out
bay - dog
beep
bellbird - bird
biff - punch
blab / blabber - chatter
blah - silly talk
blam - explosion
blare - loud sound
blast - explosion, wind
bleat - talk, sheep
bleep - tone
bling bling - reflection
blip - short sound
blurp - horn
blurt - to utter
bobolink - bird
bob-white - bird
bomb - explosive
bomp / bop - hit, punch
bonk - hit
bong / dong - bouncing
boo - derision, startle
boo-hoo - crying
boom - explosion, bird
bop / bomp - hit
borborygmus - stomach growling
bow-wow - dog
bray - donkey
brat / bratatat - gun
brekekekex, koax, koax - frog
bringg - phone
brouhaha - uproar
bubble - air, liquid
buffet - blow
buffoon - clown
bumble - blunder
bump - blow
burble - bubbles
burp - belching
burr - "r" pronunciation
buzz
bwak / bwok - hit
bweee - tone
bwok / bwak - hit
bwoom - explosion
bwow-chcka-bwow - guitar
bzzz - insect
C
cackle - chicken, talking
caterwaul - cry, cat
caw - bird
chachalaca - bird
cha-cha(-cha) - dance
cham / champ - chew
chat - converse, bird
chatter
chatterer - bird
chough - bird
cheep -bird
chickadee - bird
chiffchaff - bird
chiming - bells
chink - sharp sound
chirp - bird
chirr - insect
chirrup -
chit-chat - conversation
chitter -
chomp - chew
choo-choo - train
chortle - laugh
chuckle - laugh
chuck-will's-widow
chug - engine
chunk - engine
clack -
clackety-clack - train
clang - metal, bird
clank - metal, engine
clap - sharp noise
claque - hired applauders
clash - collision
clatter - rattling
cliche - stereotyped
click
clickety-clack / click-ety-clack - train
clink - metal
clinker - brick
clip clop - horse
clippity-clop - horse
clitter - insect
clobber - hit / punch
cltkty - vending machine
cluck
cock-a-doodle-doo
common poor-will - bird
coo - bird
cough
crack
crash
creak
cricket - insect
crinkle - crackling, rustle
croak - frog, hoarse cry
croup - disease
crow - rooster cry
crunch - chew, crush
cry - call, weep, trumpet
cuckcoo - bird, clock
curlew - bird
currawong - bird
D
dab - strike
dada - infant
deed-a-reedle - fiddle
dibble dibble dopp dopp - rain
dickcissel - bird species
didgeridoo
ding - metal
ding-dong - bell
d'oh / doh - interjection
dong / bong - bouncing
doo-wop - musical style
dook - ferret
dot a dot dot - rain
drone - bee
duh - interjection
E
eastern phoebe - bird
eastern whipbird - bird
eee-aaaah - donkey
eeeeeee - siren
eeeoooeeeooo - siren
eek eek - squeaky shoe
eeeyouch - pain
eh - interjection
F
fanfare - brass
fap fap fap - masturbating (male)
fart
fash - fend off punch
fillip - snapping fingers
finch - bird
fizz / fizzle
flap - blow, bird's wing
flash - sudden burst
flatulence
flick - stroke, movement
flick a flack fleck - rain
flicker
flip-flop(s) - footwear
flog - beat
flop - fall
flutter - flap wings
freh, freh, freh - shaking
frou-frou - rustling
G
gabing - hit
gag - to choke
gaggle - cackle of geese
gargle - wash mouth
gasp - punch in stomach
gecko - lizard
gibber(ish)
giggle - laugh
glok, klok - kick
glop - liquid, food
glug - swallowing
gnash - teeth
gnaw - bite
gobble - bird
gong - musical instr
gray-winged trumpeter
great kiskadee - bird
groan
growl - bear
grumble - mutter
grump - growl
grunt - pig
guffaw - laughter
gulp - to swallow
gunko, gunko - wagon
gurgle - bubbling liquid
gwuf, gwuf, gwuf
H
haw - laughter
hee haw - donkey, laugh
he-he - laughter
hem /ahem
hey - interjection
hi - greeting
hiccup / hiccough
hip - united cheer, trendy
hiss
hm(m) - interjection
hmpf / humph / humpf
ho hum - interjection
honk - - bird , car-horn
hoo hoo - bird , owl
hoo hoo hoo hoo
hoopoe - bird
hooray / hurrah
hoot - bird , owl
hottentot - people
howl - wolf
hrrooonnh - bull
huff - exhaling
huh - interjection
hum - murmuring, bee
humph / humpf / hmpf
hurrah / hooray - joy
hush - put at rest
huuuooohar - bull
huuuuuuuuuugh
I
J
jabber - talk
jar - harsh sound, guns
jangle - harsh sound
jingle
jug - guitar
jump - move
K
kaboom - explosion
ka-ching - cash register
kapow - explosion
kashl - cough
kata-kata - footsteps
katydid - insect
kea - bird
killdeer - bird
kirik - breaking metal
kite - bird
kittiwake - bird
klam - punch/hit
klok, glok - kick
klopp klopp klopp
klunk - metal
knack - blow
knell - bell
knock-knock - blow
knot - bird
koink - can of oil
kra, ka, ka, hi - drums
kut-kut-kut - hen
kwok - hit
L
lap - drink, lick
lash - beat
lilt - horn, singing
lisp - speak, sibilant
low - cattle
M
meow - cat
mew - cat
moan
moo - cow
mopoke - bird
morepork - bird
mrow - cat
mrrrrgggggllll - murloc
mum
mumble - speak
munch - chew
murmur
muuhhhrrr - bull
mutter - speak inaudibly
mwahaha - laughter
N
na na, na NA na - interjection
naa - goat
natter - chatter
neener, neener - interjection
neigh - horse
neow - guitar
northern flicker - bird
nyah, nyah - interjection
O
oink - pig
om nom nom - eating
oo oo oo - monkey
oooaughoaua - coughing
ooh - interjection
ook - monkey
oompah - brass
oops - interjection
ouch - pain
ow - pain
owooooah - coyote
P
pad - walk
pah-pa-rah - trumpet
pat - strike
patter - striking sounds
pee-oo-wee - bird
peeper - frog
pew pew - lasergun
pewee / peewee - bird
pewit / peewit - bird
phew - interjection
phoebe - bird
phooey - interjection
pickle-pee - flute
pied currawong - bird
ping - ringing, bullet, tone
ping-pong - table-tennis
pip
pitter-patter - rain
plain chachalaca - bird
plonk - striking sound
plop
plump - landing
plunk
pop - rapping, explosive
pow - blow / collision
prrr/purr - cat
puh-puh-puh - pound
puke - vomit
pump
pump-a-rum - drum
punt - kick
purr/prr - cat
Q
quack - bird
R
rabble - utterance
racket - disturbance
rail - complain
rap - strike
- sound of contempt
rataplan - drum
ratatatat / rat-a-tat / bratatat - machine gun
rattle -
red knot - bird
reek - metal hinge
ribbit - frog
rinky-dink - banjo music
roar - cry, lion
rooaaarrr - car
rowr - cry
rub-a-dub - drum
rumble - low continuous sound
rustle -
rrrruuuurrrr - bull
S
schlip - slipping
scratch - tear
scream - piercing cry
screamer - bird
screech - cry, car
scritch - screech
scrunch - crunching sound
shashing - sword drawn
shiiiiing - sword drawn
shiiin - silence
shoo - interjection
shoop - hit
shriek - sharp cry
shuh, shuh, shuh
shush - command quiet
shwap - punch
sigh - deep breath
siss - hissing
sizzle - hissing
skirl - shrill sound
skraww - bird
skreek - rat
slam - beat, shut
slap - hit
slobber - noisy
slosh - splash liquid
slump - sink
slurp - eating, drinking
smack - lips
snap
snarl - angry
sneeze - atchoo
sniff - draw air, smelling
sniffle / snuffle - disdain
snikt - Wolverine comic
snip - scissors
snore
snort - pig, horse
sob - breath convulsively
sora - bird
spack a speck speck
splash - dash water
splat - landing
splatt - lightning, thunder
splatter - spatter liquid
splosh - liquid
splut - pie in face
spoing - piano landing
sputter - saliva, words
squabble - altercation
squall - cry out
squawk - bird
squeak - rat
squeal - shrill cry
squirt - eject liquid
squish - squeeze
sssshblamm - explosion
strident - harsh noise
strum - play guitar
stup - landing
suru suru - suck noodles
susurration - whispering
swah / shwah - hit
swash - hit
swish - object moving
swoosh - Nike, rushing
T
ta-da - call attention
takka takka - gun
tap - strike
tattle - falter, stammer
t'chi - arrow
tch, tch, tch - chop
terwit terwoo - bird
throb - beat strongly
thrum - play guitar
thubalup - running horse
thud - hit
thump - strike, engine
thung - blow
thunk - impact
thwack - flogging
thwogg / thwok - kick
thwip - Spiderman
tick - beat
tick tock / tic toc - clock
tintinnabulation - bells
tinkle - ringing, bell
titter - giggle
tlick - clicking tongue
tolling - bells
tom-tom - beating, drum
toot - horn
tootle-too - flute
trill - warbling
trumpeter - bird
tu-whu - bird
tup - landing (jump)
twang - guitar, arrow
tweet - bird
tweeter - loudspeaker
twiddle - touch
twit twoo - bird , owl
twitter - chirping
tzing - bullet
U
uggh - pain, frustration
ugh - coughing
uh-huh - interjection
uh-oh - interjection
untz untz untz - groove
V
varoom - car
veery - bird
viip - moving object
voomp - explosive
vroom - car
vzzzzt - sword
W
waak - bird
wah-wah - music eff.
wahoo - interjection
wallop - noisy movement
wap - hit/blow
weeeoooeee - siren
weep - shed tears
whaam - explosive
whack - strike
wham - blow
whang - hit / punch
whap - abrupt motion
whee - pig
wheeze - breathe
whew - astonishment
whiff - puff
whimper - moan
whine -
whinny - horse
whipbird
whip-poor-will - bird
whirr - move swiftly
whish - sibilant sound
whisper - speak softly
whistle - wind instrument
whit woo - bird, owl
whizz
whoa - pause
whock - hit / punch
whockah - guitar
whomp - explosion
whoop - cry out, siren
whoops - interjection
whooping crane - bird
whooping cough
woops - interjection
whoosh - sibilant sound
whop - strike
whump -
willet - bird
woo-woo-woo - siren
wow - amazement
wuh-uh-uh-uh - mutter
Y
yadda yadda / yada yada - talk
yahoo - interjection, bird
yammer - lament
yap yap - dog
yar - growling
yawp - sharp cry, talk
yay - delight, triumph
yeeha, yeehaw, yee-haw - cowboy
yelp - dog
yeow - pain
yip - bird
yippee - delight, triumph
yodel - singing
yoink - stealing
yoo-hoo - interjection
yoooo - wind
yowl - pain
yowt - pain
yucchh - disgust
yuck - disgust
yuk yuk - laughter
yummy - pleasing
Z
zap - destroy, shooting
zing - humming sound
zip - hissing, humming
zonk - karate chop
zoom - movement
zoomba-zoom - bass
zzzz - sleep
N | ||
| na na, na NA na | interjection. melodic childish taunting phrase, expressing a feeling of superiority or contempt for another. Meaning is similar to sticking your tongue out or laughing at someone. Often pronounced in a nasal voice. see also: neener, neener; nyah, nyah / nya, nya | |
| naa | goat vocalization | |
| natter | to chatter aimlessly | |
| neener, neener | interjection, typically used to taunt, ridicule, or boast in a childish manner. Verbal way of sticking your tongue out or laughing at someone. Often pronounced in a nasal voice. See also: nyah, nyah; na na, na NA na. link | |
| neigh | the cry of a horse, also: whinny | |
| neow | sound of individual legato notes on an electric guitar, as in the guitar part in verse of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit": neow neow, neow neow. often combined with playing "airguitar" | |
| northern flicker | bird species name (Colaptes auratus). medium-sized member of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, is one of the few woodpecker species that migrates, and is the only woodpecker that commonly feeds on the ground. The song of the Northern Flicker is a loud wick wick wick wick or (according to some sources) a squeaky flick-a, flick-a as in it's name. link | |
| nyah, nyah / nya, nya | interjection, typically used to taunt, ridicule, or boast in a childish manner. Verbal way of sticking your tongue out or laughing at someone. Often pronounced in a nasal voice. See also: neener, neener; na na, na NA na. | |
O | ||
| oink | the cry of a pig | |
| om nom nom | vocal sound produced while chewing big bites of something tasty in a hurry, like the way Sesame Street's cookie monster eats (end of clip). Here's another example | |
| oo oo oo | monkey vocalization, also: ook, hoo hoo hoo hoo | |
| oooaughoaua | coughing sound, used by a recurring character named Lorraine from the TV show Mad TV. She makes this sound when clearing her throat, also perhaps in disgust and/or satisfaction as well as in times of awkward silence to ease the tension. It is normally accompanied with a saying such as "god that's cute" while she unknowingly destroys the property of others when checking things out. Laymen can make this sound as well in their everyday life to add comedic relief to a conversation making references to Lorraine, as well as to describe something disgusting. Video: Clip 1, Clip 2, Clip 3. | |
| ooh | interjection used to express amazement, joy, or surprise | |
| ook | monkey vocalization, also: hoo hoo hoo hoo | |
| oompah | the sound produced by a large brass instrument | |
| oops | interjection used typically to express mild apology, surprise, or dismay, also: woops, whoops | |
| ouch | interjection expressing pain or displeasure | |
| ow | a typical exclamation expressing pain | |
| owooooah | sound of a coyote howling ("Borreguita and the Coyote: A Tale from Ayutla, Mexico", by Verna Aardema) | |
P | ||
| pad | to walk with a soft dull tread | |
| pah-pa-rah | sound of a trumpet ("the ceremonial band" by James Reeves, in "Noisy poems" by Jill Bennett) | |
| pat | to strike lightly | |
| patter | to make a series of light striking sounds | |
| pee-oo-wee | bird species name, especially the eastern wood pewee. link | |
| peeper | any of various tree frogs that peep shrilly, especially the spring peeper | |
| pew pew | sound produced by a lasergun | |
| pewee / peewee | Any of eight species of birds of the genus Contopus (family Tyrannidae); it is named for its call, which is monotonously repeated from an open perch. In North America a sad, clear "pee-oo-wee" announces the presence of the eastern wood pewee (C. virens), while a blurry "peeurrr" is the call of the western wood pewee (C. sordidulus). link | |
| pewit / peewit | subfamily of birds also called Lapwing. Also: any of several related plovers. link | |
| phew | 1. used to express relief or fatigue 2. used to express disgust at or as if at an unpleasant odor | |
| phoebe (bird species) | see eastern phoebe | |
| phooey | interjection used to express repudiation or disgust | |
| pickle-pee | sound of a fife ("the ceremonial band" by James Reeves, in "Noisy poems" by Jill Bennett). a fife is a small, high-pitched, transverse flute that is similar to the piccolo, but louder and shriller due to its narrower bore | |
| pied currawong | (Strepera graculina) large, mostly black bird, with a bright yellow eye, found in Australasia. voice: The main call is a loud "currawong", which gives the bird its name. Other frequent sounds include deep croaks and a wolf whistle link | |
| ping | an abrupt, ringing sound, a bullet striking something, or a computer tone | |
| ping-pong | game of table-tennis, imitative origin | |
| pip | 1. to peep or chirp, as a chick does. 2. A short, high-pitched radio signal 3. pip-pip-pip: sound of footsteps ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema) | |
| pitter-patter | the sound of rain, a repetitive pattering sound | |
| plain chachalaca | (Ortalis vetula) a large bird in the Cracidae family. The call is a loud, raucous RAW-pa-haw or cha-cha-LAW-ka, often by several birds in a rhytmical chorus. link1, video | |
| plonk | a dull striking sound | |
| plop | sound such as that of an object dropping into water with not that much of a splash | |
| plump | heavy sound of landing | |
| plunk | to pluck a string instrument, or to suddenly drop | |
| pop | sound of rapping, knocking, or explosive | |
| pow | sound of a blow / collision | |
| prrr/purr | sound produced by cats, when sociable | |
| puh-puh-puh | sound of pounding ("Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa", by Verna Aardema) | |
| puke | to vomit, of imitative origin | |
| pump | mechanical device for raising water, of imitative origin | |
| pump-a-rum | sound of a drum ("the ceremonial band" by James Reeves, in "Noisy poems" by Jill Bennett) | |
| punt | sound of a kick ("Garfield", Jim Davis) | |
| purr/prr | a sound produced by cats, when sociable | |
Q | ||
| quack | bird vocalization, cry of a duck | |
R | ||
| rabble | to utter in a rapid and confused manner | |
| racket | disturbance, uproar | |
| rail | to complain | |
| rap | to strike, esp. with a quick, smart, or light blow | |
| raspberry | short for raspberry tart, rhyming slang for fart: a sound of contempt made by protruding the tongue between the lips and expelling air forcibly to produce a vibration; broadly : an expression of disapproval or contempt. Also "rasp", "razz" or "Bronx cheer". As in "blowing a raspberry", "making a Bronx cheer". Ref: thesneeze , wikipedia. | |
| rataplan | Word imitating the sound of the side-drum and used for music pieces, especially in opera, of a military-march character. | |
| ratatatat / rat-a-tat / bratatat | sharp rapping sound repeated, often a machine gun | |
| rattle | rapid succession of short sharp sounds, instrument that makes a rattling noise | |
| red knot | (Calidris canutus) is a medium sized shorebird. name may be imitative of the birds vocalization, sometimes described as a soft "knut", or a soft "quer-wer", though usually the bird is silent. link1, link2 | |
| reek | sound of a squeaky metal hinge ("Garfield", Jim Davis) | |
| ribbit | frog vocalization | |
| rinky-dink | banjo music | |
| roar | to utter a a full deep prolonged cry. Typical cry of a lion | |
| rooaaarrr | sound of a car when driving fast | |
| rowr | sound of deep prolonged cry ("Garfield", Jim Davis) | |
| rub-a-dub | drumming sound. Also a musical style similar to reggae | |
| rumble | to make a low heavy continuous sound | |
| rustle | to give forth a succession of light crisp sounds | |
| rrrruuuurrrr | this is one of several suggestions in response to the question of how to write the sound of a bull, on wiki-answers. also: moo, low, hrrooonnh, huuuooohar, muuhhhrrr. if you need a verb: bulls "bellow" (not directly imitative) | |
S | ||
| schlip | sound of a person slipping on something ("Garfield", Jim Davis) | |
| scratch | to tear or mark a surface with something sharp or jagged | |
| scream | to utter a shrill piercing cry. note: the vocalization of eagles is often called screaming, although according to this wikipedia article, Bald Eagles normally squeak and have a shrill cry, punctuated by grunts, and the scream that is found in films this is usually the call of a Red-tailed Hawk, dubbed into films for dramatic effect. | |
| screamer | any of a group of South American bird species (Horned Screamer, Crested Screamer, and Black-necked Screamer) with a loud high-pitched call, which may explain the name. link | |
| screech | 1. a high shrill piercing cry usually expressing pain or terror, 2. the high pitched sound the tires of a car make when it turns at high speed | |
| scritch | a screech | |
| scrunch | to make a crunching sound, to crush or crunch, or to crumple or squeeze | |
| shashing | sound of a sword drawn from a sheath, also: shiiiiiing, vzzzzt | |
| shiiiiing | sound of a sword drawn from a sheath. also: shashing, vzzzzt | |
| shiiin | the sound of silence (!), as used in manga comics (ref) | |
| shoo | interjection used especially in driving away an unwanted animal | |
| shoop | sound of a karate kick/chop, also: swah / shwah ("Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball", manga comic by Akira Toriyama) | |
| shriek | to utter a loud sharp cry, screech | |
| shuh, shuh, shuh | sound of a person swimming ("Borreguita and the Coyote: A Tale from Ayutla, Mexico", by Verna Aardema) | |
| shush | command to be quiet | |
| shwap | sound of a punch ("Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball", manga comic by Akira Toriyama), also: bwak, bwok, glok, klam, klok, shwap, thwogg, whack, wham, wap, whap, whop, whump | |
| sigh | to emit a deep breath, expressing weariness | |
| siss | to make a hissing sound | |
| sizzle | to burn with a hissing sound, buzz | |
| skirl | to make a shrill sound | |
| skraww | bird vocalization | |
| skreek | cry of a rat | |
| slam | to beat, shut with a noise | |
| slap | smart blow as with the open hand | |
| slobber | to behave (feed) in a careless noisy fashion | |
| slosh | 1. to spill or splash (a liquid) copiously or clumsily, 2. to agitate in a liquid (eg. slosh clothes in a solution of bleach and detergent), 3. to splash, wade, or flounder in water or another liquid | |
| slump | to fall or sink | |
| slurp | to make a sucking noise while eating or drinking | |
| smack | to separate the lips with a sharp noise | |
| snap | 1. to make a cracking sound, eg. snapping your fingers, 2. the "sound" of someone's pride being hurt. this is another example of "non-auditory onomatopoeia". other examples: bling bling, yoink and shiiin | |
| snarl | to make an angry sound while showing teeth | |
| sneeze | to make an explosive noise to clear the nostrils, probably of imitative origin, see also ah-choo | |
| sniff | to draw air audibly up the nose especially for smelling | |
| sniffle / snuffle | to show or express disdain or scorn | |
| snikt | "snikt" in the Marvel comic books is the written sound of super hero Wolverine's claws popping | |
| snip | sound of a single cut of scissors | |
| snore | to snort, to make harsh noises through nose and mouth while sleeping | |
| snort | cry of a pig, but horses snort too, sometimes | |
| sob | to catch the breath convulsively | |
| sora | (Porzana carolina) A small, secretive bird of freshwater marshes, the Sora is the most common and widely distributed rail in North America. voice: Call is a long, high descending whinny. Also a two-noted "sor-AH" call, with second note higher. link | |
| spack a speck speck | sound of rain drops hitting a window pane (in the poem "Weather" by Eve Merriam, in "Noisy poems" by Jill Bennett) | |
| splash | to dash water upon | |
| splat | landing with a smacking sound | |
| splatt | sound of lightning (in "Mr. Brown can moo, can you?" by Dr. Seuss), sound of thunder: look under explosions | |
| splatter | to spatter (something), especially to soil with splashes of liquid | |
| splosh / sploosh | make a splashing sound, to make a certain noise or sound, to walk through mud or mire, to cause a liquid to spatter about | |
| splut | the sound of a pie hitting someone in the face (Garfield (Jim Davis) comic) | |
| spoing | sound of a piano landing on someone's head ("Garfield", Jim Davis) | |
| sputter | 1. to spit out or spray particles of saliva or food from the mouth in noisy bursts, 2. to spit out words or sounds in an excited or confused manner, 3. to make sporadic spitting or popping sounds | |
| squabble | a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters | |
| squall | to cry out loudly | |
| squawk | cry of a bird | |
| squeak | cry of a rat (also: skreek), or to utter a short shrill cry or noise | |
| squeal | to utter a short shrill cry or noise | |
| squirt | to eject liquid in a jet | |
| squish | to squeeze, squash | |
| sssshblamm | sound of an explosion. | |
| strident | making a harsh noise | |
| strum | to play a guitar. see also thrum | |
| stup | sound of landing (after a jump). also: tup ("Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball", manga comic by Akira Toriyama) | |
| suru suru | sound of noodles being sucked (manga) | |
| susurration | sound of whispering | |
| swah / shwah | sound of a karate chop ("Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball", manga comic by Akira Toriyama), also: shoop, zonk | |
| swash | to dash violently, make a noise of clashing swords | |
| swish | sound of an object moving through air or water | |
| swoosh | Nike brand logo, but also the sound of rushing air or water | |
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