Definition of the word sound effect

The term "sound effect" emerged in the early 20th century with the advent of silent films. These movies relied heavily on live musical accompaniment and intertitles (text overlays) to convey dialogue and sound effects. However, as the technology for sound recording advanced, filmmakers began to incorporate pre-recorded sound into movies, giving rise to the need for a term that encompassed these new elements. The first known usage of the term "sound effect" can be traced back to a 1927 article in the trade publication Motion Picture News. In it, the author referred to "recorded sound effects" as a way of describing the pre-recorded and synchronized sounds that were being introduced into films. Over time, the term became widely adopted in the film industry, reflecting the crucial role that sound design and editing played in creating a fully immersive viewing experience. Despite its heritage in the context of cinema, "sound effect" is now commonly used to describe any artificial sound created for a specific purpose, whether in film, television, video games, or other media. The term acknowledges the fact that these sounds are not necessarily "natural" or "original," but rather carefully selected and manipulated sounds that contribute to the overall auditory landscape of a scene.