どよめく

どよめく
godan verb
to stir; to rustle; to be in an uproar
1. to stir; to rustle; to be in an uproar
to become noisy with many voices or sounds, typically from a crowd reacting to something
会場(かいじょう)がどよめいた。
The venue stirred with noise.
観客(かんきゃく)(おどろ)きにどよめいた。
The audience stirred in surprise.
予想外(よそうがい)結果(けっか)場内(じょうない)がどよめいた。
The hall was in an uproar at the unexpected result.

どよめく describes the collective noise of a crowd reacting to something unexpected or exciting.

VERB TYPE:

  • Godan verb (く-verb)
  • Intransitive

ETYMOLOGY:

  • Related to (どよ)む (archaic: to resound)
  • Onomatopoeic origin suggesting rumbling/stirring sounds

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 会場(かいじょう)がどよめく (venue stirs)
  • 観客(かんきゃく)がどよめく (audience stirs)
  • 場内(じょうない)がどよめく (hall is in uproar)
  • (おどろ)きにどよめく (stir in surprise)
  • 歓声(かんせい)がどよめく (cheers rise up)

USAGE CONTEXT:

  • Sports events (unexpected plays, goals)
  • Performances (dramatic reveals)
  • Announcements (surprising news)
  • Public gatherings (reactions to events)

SIMILAR VERBS:

  • ざわめく (to rustle, murmur) - quieter, more continuous
  • ざわつく (to be noisy) - general noise
  • (さわ)ぐ (to make noise) - more active/disruptive

NUANCE:

  • Implies sudden, collective reaction
  • Often written in hiragana
  • Usually positive or neutral (excitement/surprise rather than anger)

REGISTER: Literary to neutral. Often used in news reports and novels.