amplify the sound

Meaning

To make a sound louder, clearer, or more powerful, often by using electronic equipment like speakers or amplifiers. It can be used literally in acoustics, or metaphorically to mean making a voice or message heard more widely. The tone is neutral and practical.

Examples

• We need to use a microphone to amplify the sound in this large hall.

  We need to use a microphone to amplify the sound in this large hall.

• The acoustic design of the theater naturally amplifies the sound of the actors' voices.

  The acoustic design of the theater naturally amplifies the sound of the actors' voices.

• He used a megaphone to amplify the sound of his instructions over the noisy crowd.

  He used a megaphone to amplify the sound of his instructions over the noisy crowd.

• You can adjust the settings on the speaker to amplify the sound of the bass.

  You can adjust the settings on the speaker to amplify the sound of the bass.

• The wooden walls of the room help to amplify the sound of the acoustic guitar.

  The wooden walls of the room help to amplify the sound of the acoustic guitar.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to high the sound of the television.

  ✓ We need to amplify the sound of the television.

  'High' is an adjective, not a verb. To make something louder, use 'amplify' or the phrasal verb 'turn up'.

• ✗ The speakers will double the sound so everyone can hear.

  ✓ The speakers will amplify the sound so everyone can hear.

  'Double' means to multiply by two mathematically, whereas 'amplify' is the correct technical and conversational term for increasing audio volume.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The band had to ___ because the venue was much larger than expected.

  💡 Make the music louder using equipment.

  Show answer

  amplify the sound

• Please use this microphone to ___ so the people in the back row can hear you.

  💡 Increase the volume of your voice.

  Show answer

  amplify the sound