One of the major hurdles of becoming a sound effects editor is learning your library. This means knowing what keywords to search in a given situation as well as building up a mental catalog of “go-to” sounds.
While it is always a good idea to start by looking at the picture and then thinking of descriptive words to search, it helps if you know which words will yield the best results. This is where onomatopoeia enters the scene. Onomatopoeia is defined as the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g., cuckoo, sizzle). Following is a beginner’s guide to onomatopoeic sound effects search words. Some of these terms can be found in any dictionary, and some are unique to sound effect library naming conventions.
crackle – a sound made up of a rapid succession of slight cracking sounds. Also, look up: sizzle, fizz, hiss, crack, snap, fuse, fuze, burn, fire
crash – a sudden loud noise as of something breaking or hitting another object. Also, look up: bang, smash, crack, bump, thud, clatter, clunk, clang, hit
body fall – a sound made by a body falling onto a hard surface. Also, look up: body hit, land
boing – the noise representing the sound of a compressed spring suddenly released. Also look up: bounce, bouncing, bonk, jaw harp
boom – a loud, deep, resonant sound. Also look up: explosion, slam, crash, drum, taiko, rumble
buzz – a humming or murmuring sound made by or similar to that made by an insect. Also look up: hum, drone, insect, neon, fluorescent
chomp – munch or chew vigorously and noisily. Also, look up: munch, crunch, chew, bite
click – a short, sharp sound as of a switch being operated or of two hard objects coming quickly into contact. Also, look up: clack, snap, pop, tick, clink, switch, button
creak – a harsh scraping or squeaking sound. Also look up: squeak, grate
flutter – the sound of flying unsteadily or hovering by flapping the wings quickly and lightly. Also look up: beat, flap, quiver, wing
glug – the sound of drinking or pouring (liquid) with a hollow gurgling sound. Also look up: pour, drain
groan – a low creaking or moaning sound when pressure or weight is applied to an object OR an inarticulate sound in response to pain or despair. Also, look up: creak, squeak; moan, cry, whimper
honk – the cry of a wild goose. Also look up: gander, goose
ahoogah – the sound of a particular type of horn. Also look up: model a, model t, antique horn, bulb horn
jingle – a light ringing sound such as that made by metal objects being shaken together. Also, look up: clink, chink, tinkle, jangle, chime, sleigh bells
neigh – a characteristic high-pitched sound uttered by a horse. Also, look up: whinny, bray, knicker
poof – used to convey the suddenness with which someone or something disappears. Also look up: puff
pop – a light explosive sound. Also look up: bubble, cork, jug, thunk
puff – a short, explosive burst of breath or wind. Also, look up: poof, gust, blast, waft, breeze, breath
rattle – a rapid succession of short, sharp, hard sounds. Also look up: clatter, clank, clink, clang
ribbit – the characteristic croaking sound of a frog. Also look up: frog, toad, croak
quack – the characteristic harsh sound made by a duck. Also look up: duck, mallard
rustle – a soft, muffled crackling sound like that made by the movement of dry leaves, paper, cloth, or similar material. Also look up: swish, whisper, movement, mvmt
rumble – a continuous deep, resonant sound. Also look up: boom, sub, earthquake
scream – a long, loud, piercing cry expressing extreme emotion or pain. Also, look up: shriek, screech, yell, howl, shout, bellow, bawl, cry, yelp, squeal, wail, squawk
screech – a loud, harsh, piercing cry. Also, look up: shriek, scream, squeal
skid – an act of skidding or sliding. Also look up: slide, drag
slurp – a loud sucking sound made while eating or drinking. Also, look up: suck, drink, straw, lick
splash – a sound made by something striking or falling into liquid. Also, look up: spatter, bespatter, splatter, bodyfall water
splat – a sound made by a wet object hitting a hard surface. Also, look up: squish
splatter – splash with a sticky or viscous liquid. Also, look up: splash, squish, splat, spray
squawk – a loud, harsh, or discordant noise made by a bird or a person. Also, look up: screech, squeal, shriek, scream, croak, crow, caw, cluck, cackle, hoot, cry, call
squeak – a short, high-pitched sound or cry. Also, look up: peep, cheep, pipe, squeal, tweet, yelp, whimper, creak
squish – a soft squelching sound. Also look up: splat, splatter
swish – a light sound of an object moving through the air. Also look up: whoosh, swoosh
swoosh – the sound produced by a sudden rush of air. Also look up: swish, whoosh
thunk – the sound of a cork being pulled out of or placed into a bottle or jug. Also, look up: pop, cork, jug
twang – a strong ringing sound such as that made by the plucked string of a musical instrument, a released bowstring, or a ruler held steady on one end and plucked from the other. Also, look up: ruler twang, boing twang, ripple, pluck, violin, guitar
whip crack – the loud and sudden sound of a whip moving faster than the speed of sound, creating a small sonic boom. Also look up: bullwhip, whip, swish, whoosh, swoosh
whoosh – a heavy sound of an object moving through the air. Also look up: swish, swoosh
woof – the sound made by a barking dog. Also look up: bark, howl, yelp, whimper, dog
yelp – a short sharp cry, especially of pain or alarm. Also, look up: squeal, shriek, howl, yowl, yell, cry, shout
zap – a sudden burst of energy or sound. Also look up laser, beam, synth, sci-fi
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