audible
Americanadjective
noun
-
audibles
plural
idioms
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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audibilitynoun
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audiblenessnoun
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nonaudibilitynoun
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nonaudiblenessnoun
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subaudibilitynoun
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subaudiblenessnoun
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nonaudibleadjective
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quasi-audibleadjective
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subaudibleadjective
-
audiblyadverb
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nonaudiblyadverb
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quasi-audiblyadverb
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subaudiblyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of audible
First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin audībilis, from Latin audī(re) “to hear” + -bilis -ble
Explanation
Something audible can be heard. Sometimes things that people don't want others to hear become audible, such as a growling stomach during a quiet moment at the movies. Coming from the Latin audīre, "to hear," audible is an adjective meaning "heard" or "hearable." A scream is audible, a barking dog next door is audible, and a siren is audible. Why do some writers use the expression "a barely audible whisper?" Isn’t that what a whisper is — something you can barely hear?
Vocabulary lists containing audible
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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Hatchet
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Common Senses: Aud ("Hear")
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“Seeking ways to craft narratives without audible dialogue,” reads the show’s introductory wall text, “filmmakers used costume to convey character, drive plot, and heighten emotion.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
When Donald Trump unveiled a helipad at the White House on Monday, his remarks were barely audible in live footage of the event.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
The only time Duterte had been seen since his arrest in March 2025 was an initial appearance via video, where he seemed confused and tired, his speech barely audible.
From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026
“Good morning, your honor,” Navarrete said, her voice barely audible over the air conditioning blasting in her office.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
He dropped his voice until it was just audible.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
“Just can’t turn the ball over,” said Herbert, his answers shorter than audibles at the line of scrimmage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026
Just try and make sure Sam is comfortable with everything that we do, and have some specific checks or audibles or options for him to go to and use.”
From Washington Times ● Nov. 2, 2023
Rapp has been calling plays since he was a 7-year-old peewee quarterback performing audibles at the line of scrimmage.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 22, 2022
Through 12 practices, early enrollee quarterback Sam Huard — currently situated behind sophomore returning starter Dylan Morris and graduate transfer Patrick O’Brien — is attempting to absorb play calls and cadences and audibles and coverages.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 27, 2021
Visibles are swiftlier carried to the sense than audibles.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Noah Webster
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
