sound effects

plural noun

: effects that are imitative of sounds called for in the script of a dramatic production (such as a radio show) and that enhance the production's illusion of reality

Examples of sound effects in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Intense sound effects—such as the exceptionally long reverberation and echoes inside the Blue Demon tomb—gave a dramatic soundtrack to this intense, immersive experience. — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

Unlike other pipe organs, these engineering marvels have percussive sound effects for thunderclaps, horse hooves and train whistles, perfect for old movie palaces. — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

Sounds Some Omnitrix replicas produce sound effects inspired by the device on the show and ones similar to Ben Tennyson’s alien forms. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Or the ones who’d made a tape in their basement adding in artificial sound effects. — Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sound effects

• analects
• architects
• dialects
• disconnects
• intellects
• interjects
• intersects
• recollects
• redirects
• affects
• aspects
• bisects

Kids Definition

sound effects

plural noun

: effects that imitate sounds called for in the script of a play, radio or television program, or motion picture