loudspeaker
gb/lˈaʊdspˌikɚ/ us/lˈaʊdspˌikɚ/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
device that plays amplified sound
A piece of equipment that makes sound louder so people can hear it.
Usage pattern:
[sound] comes through the loudspeaker(s)
Common mistake:
Learners often shorten it to speaker; that is common, but loudspeaker is more specific and can sound more formal/technical.
Synonyms
speaker (More general and more common in everyday speech.)
|
PA speaker (Specifically for public announcements and events.)
Antonyms
microphone (Opposite direction: it turns sound into an electrical signal.)
Collocations
portable loudspeaker
|wireless loudspeaker
|powered loudspeaker
|ceiling loudspeaker
|car loudspeaker
|PA loudspeaker
|loudspeaker system
|loudspeaker volume
|loudspeaker cabinet
|loudspeaker cone
Themes
technology
|audio
|electronics
|daily_life
Examples
- We connected the phone to a loudspeaker so everyone could hear the call.
- The loudspeaker crackled and then the principal began the announcement.
- The technician replaced a damaged loudspeaker in the auditorium.
Learner examples
- The loudspeaker is too loud.
- I heard the announcement on the loudspeaker.
Noun
C1
role
2
person or group spreading messages
Someone who repeats another person’s opinions to many people.
Usage pattern:
a loudspeaker for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
This is figurative; it does not mean a physical device in this use.
Synonyms
mouthpiece (Often more negative and explicit about lack of independence.)
|
propagandist (Stronger; implies deliberate spreading of propaganda.)
Antonyms
critic (Someone who challenges rather than repeats messages.)
|
independent voice (Emphasizes not speaking for someone else.)
Collocations
a loudspeaker for the government
|a loudspeaker for the campaign
|party loudspeaker
|regime loudspeaker
|become a loudspeaker for
Themes
media
|politics
|society
Examples
- Opponents accused the channel of acting as a loudspeaker for the ruling party.
- He refused to be a loudspeaker for the company’s talking points.
- The newspaper tried to avoid becoming a loudspeaker for any one candidate.
Learner examples
- She did not want to be a loudspeaker for him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
loudspeaker
IPA
GB/lˈaʊdspˌikɚ/
US/lˈaʊdspˌikɚ/
Syllables & stress
loud - speak - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (loud)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: loudspeaker
- Plural: loudspeakers
Word family
Expressions
on the loudspeaker
1/ˈɔn ðə lˈaʊdspˌikɚ/
fixed phrase
heard via a loudspeaker
Heard through a loudspeaker.
Examples
- The boarding update is on the loudspeaker again.
- Please don’t put me on the loudspeaker in a crowded room.
- Music was on the loudspeaker while we waited.
over the loudspeaker
1/ˈoʊvɚ ðə lˈaʊdspˌikɚ/
fixed phrase
broadcast using a loudspeaker
Said through a loudspeaker so many people can hear.
Examples
- They called my name over the loudspeaker at the station.
- A recorded message played over the loudspeaker every five minutes.
- The coach shouted instructions over the loudspeaker.
through the loudspeaker
1/θɹˈu ðə lˈaʊdspˌikɚ/
fixed phrase
sound coming out of loudspeaker
Coming out of the loudspeaker.
Examples
- Her voice came through the loudspeaker, clear and calm.
- A warning siren sounded through the loudspeaker.
- Static hissed through the loudspeaker before the song started.