Words that imitate a noise (often called ‘onomatopoeic’) can describe either the noise itself (as with beep) or the thing that makes the noise (as with flip-flop). These lists group them accordingly and give a sense of the extraordinary variety of words with an imitative origin.
| bang | a sudden loud, sharp noise |
| beep | a short, high-pitched sound made by electronic equipment or a vehicle horn |
| blare | a loud, harsh sound |
| blatter | a clatter |
| bleep | a short high-pitched electronic sound |
| blip | a very short high-pitched electronic sound |
| bloop | a short low-pitched electronic sound |
| boing | a clear, reverberating sound, as of a compressed spring being released |
| bong | a low-pitched sound, as of a bell |
| boom | a loud, deep, resonant sound |
| brattle | a sharp rattling sound |
| burble | a continuous murmuring noise |
| buzz | a low, continuous humming or murmuring sound, as of an insect |
| ching | an abrupt high-pitched ringing sound, as of a cash register |
| chink | a light, high-pitched ringing sound, as of glasses or coins striking together |
| chitter | make a twittering or chattering sound |
| chuff | a regular sharp puffing sound, as of a steam engine |
| chug | regular muffled explosive sounds, as of an engine running slowly |
| clang | a loud, resonant metallic sound or series of sounds |
| clank | a loud, sharp sound, as of pieces of metal being struck together |
| clatter | a continuous rattling sound, as of hard objects falling |
| click | a short, sharp sound, as of a switch being operated |
| clip | cut short or trim (hair, vegetation, etc.) with shears or scissors |
| clip-clop | the sound of a horse’s hoofs beating on a hard surface |
| clitter | make a thin rattling sound |
| clop | a sound or series of sounds made by a horse’s hoofs on a hard surface |
| creak | (typically of a wooden object) make a scraping or squeaking sound when moved |
| crump | a sudden, loud, dull sound, as of a bomb |
| dah | a long Morse signal |
| ding | a ringing sound |
| ding-a-ling | a ringing sound |
| dit | a short Morse signal |
| dong | a deep, resonant sound, as of a bell |
| dump | a site for depositing rubbish |
| fizz | the hissing sound of bubbles of gas |
| fizzle | a feeble hissing or spluttering sound |
| flap | (of a bird) move (its wings) up and down |
| graunch | a crunching or grinding noise |
| gurgle | a hollow bubbling sound like that made by water running out of a bottle |
| gush | a rapid and plentiful stream of liquid |
| hum | a low, steady continuous sound like that of a bee |
| jingle | a light ringing sound like metal objects being shaken together |
| judder | a rapid, forceful vibration |
| ka-ching | the sound of a cash register |
| mewl | cry feebly or querulously, as of a baby |
| parp | a honking sound, as of a car horn |
| peely-wally | pale and sickly in appearance (probably from the sound a sickly person might make) |
| ping | an abrupt high-pitched ringing sound |
| pink | (of a vehicle engine) rattle because of overrapid combustion |
| pip | a short high-pitched sound, especially in a radio time signal |
| pip pip | goodbye (probably imitative of a motor horn) |
| plash | a splashing sound |
| plink | short, sharp, metallic or ringing sound |
| plock | a short, low clicking sound |
| plop | a short sound as of a small, solid object dropping into water without a splash |
| plump | set down heavily or unceremoniously |
| pop | a light explosive sound |
| popple | (of water) flow in a tumbling or rippling way |
| puff | a short burst of breath or wind |
| purl | (of a stream or river) flow with a swirling motion and babbling sound |
| put-put | the sound of a small petrol engine |
| putter | the sound of a small petrol engine |
| racket | a loud unpleasant noise |
| rattle | a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds |
| ring | a clear resonant or vibrating sound |
| rumble | a continuous deep, resonant sound |
| rustle | a soft, muffled crackling sound |
| scoosh | a splash or squirt of liquid |
| scrunch | a loud crunching noise |
| shatter | break suddenly and violently into pieces |
| shriek | a high-pitched piercing sound or shout |
| sizzle | a hissing sound, as of food frying |
| sloosh | a rush of water or an energetic rinsing |
| smash | the violent breaking of something |
| snap | a sharp cracking sound |
| snip | cut (something) with scissors or shears, typically with small quick strokes |
| splatter | splash with a liquid, typically a thick or viscous one |
| splosh | a soft splashing sound |
| splurt | a sudden gush of liquid |
| sputter | make a series of soft explosive or spitting sounds |
| squeak | a short, high-pitched sound or cry |
| squeal | a long, high-pitched cry or noise |
| squelch | make a soft sucking sound such as that made by treading heavily through mud |
| squirt | a thin, fast stream or jet of liquid ejected from a small opening |
| squish | a soft squelching sound |
| swash | (of liquid) move with a splashing sound |
| swish | a hissing or rushing sound |
| swoosh | the sound produced by a sudden rush of air or liquid |
| tac-au-tac | a fencing parry combined with a riposte |
| tang | a loud ringing or clanging sound |
| throb | a strong, regular rhythm |
| thrum | a continuous rhythmic humming sound |
| tick-tock | the sound of a large clock ticking |
| ting | a sharp, clear ringing sound |
| tinkle | a light, clear, repeated ringing sound |
| tinnitus | ringing or buzzing in the ears |
| trickle | a small stream of liquid |
| vroom | the roaring sound of a vehicle at high speed |
| waul | a loud plaintive cry like that of a cat |
| whizz | a whistling or buzzing sound caused by moving quickly through the air |
| whoomph | a sudden loud sound, as of a muffled or distant explosion |
| whoosh | the rushing sound of fast movement |
| whump | a dull or muffled thudding sound |
| wow | slow pitch fluctuation in sound reproduction |
| yawp | a harsh or hoarse cry or yelp |
| yelp | a short, sharp cry, especially of pain or alarm |
| yip | a short, sharp cry, especially of excitement or delight |
| yowl | a loud wailing cry, especially of pain or distress |
| zap | destroy or obliterate |
| zizz | a whizzing or buzzing sound |
| zoom | move or travel very quickly |
| belch | emit wind from the stomach through the mouth |
| boohoo | cry |
| burp | release air from the stomach through the mouth; belch |
| chomp | munch or chew vigorously |
| chug | consume (a drink) in large gulps without pausing |
| chumble | nibble; chew |
| clap | strike the palms of (one’s hands) together |
| clomp | walk with a heavy tread |
| cough | expel air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound |
| crunch | crush (a hard or brittle foodstuff) with the teeth |
| flog | beat (someone) with a whip or stick |
| flump | fall or sit down heavily |
| glug | pour or drink (liquid) with a hollow gurgling sound |
| gulp | swallow (drink or food) quickly or in large mouthfuls |
| harrumph | clear the throat |
| hawk | clear the throat |
| hic | a hiccup, especially a drunken one |
| hiccup | an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory organs |
| hiss | make a sharp sibilant sound as of the letter s |
| huff | blow out air on account of exertion |
| keck | feel as if one is about to vomit; retch |
| munch | eat steadily |
| pad | walk with steady steps making a soft dull sound |
| piss | urinate |
| pit-a-pat | with a sound like quick light steps or taps |
| poop | defecate |
| pule | cry querulously or weakly |
| quaff | drink (something, especially an alcoholic drink) heartily |
| screech | (of a person or animal) give a loud, harsh, piercing cry |
| screel | utter or emit a highpitched or discordant cry or sound; screech |
| slobber | have saliva dripping copiously from the mouth |
| slump | sit, lean, or fall heavily and limply |
| smooch | kiss and cuddle amorously |
| sneer | a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone |
| sniff | draw up air through the nose |
| sniffle | sniff slightly or repeatedly |
| snore | a snorting or grunting sound made in one’s sleep |
| snort | an explosive sound made by the sudden forcing of breath through the nose |
| spit | eject saliva forcibly from the mouth |
| splutter | make a series of short explosive spitting or choking sounds |
| suck | draw air or liquid into the mouth |
| tee-hee | a giggle or titter |
| titter | a short, half-suppressed laugh |
| ululate | howl or wail as an expression of strong emotion, typically grief |
| wee | urinate |
| wee-wee | urinate |
| whimper | a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or discontent |
| whistle | a clear, high-pitched sound made by forcing breath between one’s lips or teeth |
| whoop | a loud cry of joy or excitement |
| zizz | snooze or doze |
| cachinnate | laugh loudly |
| chunter | talk or grumble monotonously |
| flibbertigibbet | a frivolous, flighty, or excessively talkative person |
| gabble | talk rapidly and unintelligibly |
| gibber | talk rapidly and unintelligibly |
| giggle | laugh lightly in a nervous, affected, or silly manner |
| guffaw | laugh loudly and heartily |
| jabber | talk in a rapid, excited, and often incomprehensible way |
| la-di-da | pretentious or snobbish in manner or speech |
| lisp | a speech defect of the sounds s and z |
| mum | silent |
| mutter | say something in a barely audible voice |
| natter | talk casually, especially on unimportant matters |
| prate | talk foolishly or at tedious length |
| snicker | give a smothered or halfsuppressed laugh; snigger |
| squabble | a noisy, trivial quarrel |
| tattle | gossip; idle talk |
| waffle | talk or write at length in a vague or trivial manner |
| whisper | talk very softly, using breath instead of one’s voice |
| witter | talk at length about trivial matters |
| yackety-yak | a trivial or unduly prolonged conversation |
| yada yada yada | and so on |
| yak | a trivial or unduly prolonged conversation |
| yatter | talk incessantly; chatter |
| yock | a loud hearty laugh |
| bleep(er) | electronic device that sounds to alert its wearer |
| bling-bling | expensive, ostentatious clothing and jewellery |
| bomb | explosive device |
| buffer | a person or thing that reduces a shock |
| chincherinchee | a white South African lily (from the squeaky sound made by rubbing its stalks together) |
| choo-choo | a child’s word for a railway train or locomotive |
| flip-flop | a light sandal with a thong between the big and second toe (from the sound they make when walked in) |
| frou-frou | frills or other ornamentation, particularly of women’s clothes (from the sound made by walking in a dress) |
| hubble-bubble | a hookah |
| ping-pong | table tennis |
| pom-pom | a light, quick-firing cannon of the Second World War |
| slush | partially melted snow or ice |
| tic-tac-toe | North American term for noughts and crosses, of which an early version was played with pieces which clicked when placed |
| zip | a fastener for clothes, bags, etc. |
| bam | bash |
| bonk | bop |
| bump | clack |
| clap | clonk |
| clunk | crash |
| knap | knock |
| lash | plonk |
| plump | pow |
| prang | rap |
| rat-tat | skelp |
| slap | smack |
| smash | spank |
| tap | thump |
| thwack | tonk |
| whack | wham |
| whang | whomp |
| whump | zonk |
| bebop | a type of jazz originating in the 1940s |
| blare | loud, harsh playing by brass instruments |
| bourdon | a low-pitched organ stop |
| didgeridoo | an Australian Aboriginal wind instrument blown to produce a deep, resonant sound |
| doo-wop | a style of pop music using close harmony vocals and nonsense phrases |
| drum | a percussion instrument consisting of a membrane stretched over an opening |
| flam | a basic drumming pattern |
| gong | a circular metal percussion instrument |
| hurdy-gurdy | a stringed instrument with a droning sound played by turning a handle |
| kazoo | a small, simple wind instrument with a buzzing sound |
| mirliton | a musical instrument resembling a kazoo, with a nasal tone |
| oompah | the rhythmical sound of deep-toned brass instruments in a band |
| paradiddle | a basic drumming pattern |
| plink | make short sharp ringing sounds |
| plunk | play a keyboard or plucked stringed instrument in an inexpressive way |
| ratamacue | a basic drumming pattern |
| rataplan | a drumming or beating sound |
| ruff | a basic drumming pattern |
| scat | improvised jazz singing in which a voice imitates an instrument |
| skiffle | a kind of folk music often incorporating improvised instruments such as washboards |
| skirl | a shrill sound, especially that of bagpipes |
| strum | play (a guitar or similar instrument) by sweeping the thumb or a plectrum across the strings |
| tom-tom | a medium-sized cylindrical drum |
| toot | a short, sharp sound made by a horn, trumpet, or similar instrument |
| trump | a trumpet or a trumpet blast |
| twang | a strong ringing sound such as that made by the plucked string of a musical instrument or a released bowstring |
| wah-wah | device for producing a musical effect on an electric guitar |
| baa | sheep |
| bay | dog |
| bleat | sheep, goat, or calf |
| caterwaul | cat |
| champ | horse |
| chirp | insect |
| chirr | insect |
| croak | frog |
| growl | animal, especially a dog |
| grunt | animal, especially a pig |
| hee-haw | donkey or mule |
| howl | animal such as a dog or wolf |
| mew | cat |
| miaow | cat |
| miaul | cat |
| moo | cattle |
| neigh | horse |
| nicker | horse |
| oink | pig |
| peep | young mammal |
| purr | cat |
| roar | lion or other large wild animal |
| snarl | animal such as a dog |
| whicker | horse |
| whinny | horse |
| woof | dog |
| wuff | dog |
| yap | dog |
| ai | (the three-toed sloth) |
| chickaree | (a type of squirrel) |
| cricket | (an insect like a grasshopper) |
| dik-dik | (a dwarf antelope) |
| gecko | (a lizard) |
| gnu | (a large antelope) |
| hoolock | (a gibbon) |
| quagga | (an extinct zebra) |
| tokay | (a large gecko) |
| tuco-tuco | (a burrowing rodent) |
| cackle | especially hen or goose |
| caw | rook, crow, etc. |
| chack | any bird |
| cheep | young bird |
| chirp | small bird |
| cluck | hen |
| coo | pigeon or dove |
| croak | crow |
| crow | cock |
| gobble | turkeycock |
| honk | goose |
| hoot | owl |
| mew | gull |
| peep | young bird |
| quack | duck |
| squawk | any bird |
| tu-whit tu-whoo | owl |
| tweet | small or young bird |
| small bird |
| bobolink | bobwhite |
| bokmakierie | boobook |
| bulbul | cahow |
| chachalaca | chat |
| chickadee | chiffchaff |
| chook | chough |
| chuck-will’s-widow | crake |
| cuckoo | curlew |
| dickcissel | dunkadoo |
| flicker | garganey |
| hadada | hoatzin |
| hoopoe | huia |
| Jacky Winter | kea |
| keelie | killdeer |
| kiskadee | kittiwake |
| korhaan | mopoke |
| motmot | owl |
| peewee | peewit |
| pewee | phoebe |
| piapiac | piet-my-vrou |
| pipit | poor-me-one |
| poorwill | potoo |
| quail | quit |
| rail | rook |
| shrike | skua |
| tchagra | tinktinkie |
| titihoya | toucan |
| towhee | turtle dove |
| twite | veery |
| weka | whaup |
| whimbrel | whippoorwill |
| wigeon | willet |
| yaffle | gaggle |