Word of the day · 1 September 2026
sonorous
/ˈsɒnərəs/
adjective
Full, deep and rich in sound.
In a sentence
- The actor's sonorous voice carried to the back row.
- Church bells sounded sonorous across the valley at dusk.
- His sonorous phrasing made the short speech feel larger than it was.
In an image
Origin
From Latin sonorus (noisy, resounding), from sonor (sound).
History
English adopted sonorous in the early 1600s for resonant speech and music. Critics used it for prose that rings aloud as much as it reads on the page. The word can praise depth of tone or gently mock empty grandeur, depending on context. In careful use it points to acoustic fullness, not volume alone.
Nearby words
resonant · orotund · booming
When a voice or tone fills the room without shouting.