cacophony

Definitions

caco- (bad, from Greek kakos) + phōnē (sound) = literally 'bad sound.' It's the exact opposite of euphony (eu- = good). Use it for any harsh, clashing jumble of noise — traffic, a crowd all shouting, an out-of-tune band.

Why It Means This

The cleanest way to remember it: euphony and cacophony are mirror twins built on the same root phōnē ('sound'). eu- (good) makes euphony — sound that pleases. caco- (bad) makes cacophony — sound that grates. If you can hold one in mind, you get the other for free.

Common Collocations

• 1.a cacophony of sounds一片嘈杂声
• 2.a cacophony of voices一片喧嚷
• 3.a cacophony of noise一片噪音

Example Sentences

• 1.

  A cacophony of car horns filled the gridlocked street.

• 2.

  The market was a cacophony of vendors all shouting at once.

• 3.

  Their argument dissolved into a cacophony of raised voices.

Easily Confused

cacophony vs euphony — same root (phōnē, sound), opposite prefixes. caco- (bad) = harsh, unpleasant noise; eu- (good) = pleasing, harmonious sound. If it hurts your ears it's cacophony; if it soothes them it's euphony.