Sonorous
adjective /ˈsɒn.ər.əs/ — Imposingly deep and full in sound
Definition
Having a pleasingly rich, deep, full sound — resonant in a way that carries weight and presence. A sonorous voice fills a room not with volume but with timbre.
Beyond the definition
The quality of sound that makes you stop and listen not because it is loud but because it has weight. Sonorous sound settles into you.
Origin & history
From Latin 'sonorus' (noisy, resonant) — from 'sonor' (a sound) — from 'sonare' (to sound). Related to 'sound', 'sonic', 'sonata'.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His sonorous baritone carried across the room without his having to raise his voice.
The cathedral organ produced a sonorous chord that lasted long after the organist lifted their hands.
A good reader's voice should be sonorous — not performed, just resonant.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Sonorous” when the meaning fits your context: Having a pleasingly rich, deep, full sound — resonant in a way that carries weight and presence. A sonorous voice fills a room not with volume but with timbre.
Synonyms
resonant, deep, rich, full, mellifluous
Antonyms
thin, reedy, shrill, tinny
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Sonorous" mean?
Sonorous is adjective meaning: Imposingly deep and full in sound. Having a pleasingly rich, deep, full sound — resonant in a way that carries weight and presence. A sonorous voice fills a room not with volume but with timbre.
Where does the word "Sonorous" come from?
From Latin 'sonorus' (noisy, resonant) — from 'sonor' (a sound) — from 'sonare' (to sound). Related to 'sound', 'sonic', 'sonata'.