acoustic

American  

[uh-koo-stik] / əˈku stɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the science of sound.

2. (of a building material) designed for controlling sound.

3. Music.

   1. of, relating to, or being a musical instrument whose sound is not electrically enhanced or modified.

   2. arranged for or made up of such instruments.

      an acoustic solo; an acoustic group.

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noun

1. Obsolete. a remedy for deafness or imperfect hearing.

acoustic British  

/ əˈkuːstɪk /

adjective

1. of or related to sound, the sense of hearing, or acoustics

2. designed to respond to, absorb, or control sound

   an acoustic tile

3. (of a musical instrument or recording) without electronic amplification

   an acoustic bass

   an acoustic guitar

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Other Word Forms

• acoustically adverb
• nonacoustic adjective
• nonacoustical adjective
• nonacoustically adverb
• unacoustic adjective
• unacoustical adjective
• unacoustically adverb

Etymology

Origin of acoustic

From the Greek word akoustikós, dating back to 1595–1605. See acouasm, -tic

Example Sentences

"But once we examined the acoustic structure closely, the even, rhythmic purr turned out to be the better cue for identifying individual cats."

From Science Daily

But Grenell said that option posed myriad complications such as whether awkward safety measures—such as wearing hard hats—would be needed for audience members, and how acoustics might be affected.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the acoustic deterrent costs £50m, the wider fish‑protection system - including larger inlet heads and a return pipe for fish - will cost £700m.

From BBC

“There’s a book that’s sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off,” he sang while playing an acoustic guitar.

From The Wall Street Journal

In PAT, tissue molecules that absorb light vibrate after being hit by short laser pulses, producing acoustic signals that can be measured and converted into detailed images.

From Science Daily