acoustic

[ uh-koo-stik ]

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.

noun

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

acoustic

/ 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

Derived Forms

• aˈcoustically, adverb

Other Words From

• a·cousti·cal·ly adverb
• nona·coustic adjective noun
• nona·cousti·cal adjective
• nona·cousti·cal·ly adverb
• una·coustic adjective
• una·cousti·cal adjective
• una·cousti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of acoustic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of acoustic¹

C17: from Greek akoustikos, from akouein to hear

Example Sentences

Our ear drums register vibrations — acoustic waves — moving through the air as sound.

From Science News For Students

Better known as Stonehenge, this ancient monument in southern England created an acoustic space that amplified voices and improved the sound of any music being played for people standing within the massive circle of stones, a new study suggests.

From Science News

This room simulated the acoustic effects of the open landscape surrounding Stonehenge and compacted ground inside the monument.

From Science News

A wider range of acoustic measures is needed, for instance, to detect echo effects in the scale model that are also present at Stonehenge, Till argues.

From Science News

Another acoustic study employed a computer model of the ancient site.

From Science News

George would take out his lyric book and acoustic guitar and play us the song we would be working on that day.

From The Daily Beast

George took his acoustic guitar and began showing me the chord changes, which I nervously wrote out on a chord chart.

From The Daily Beast

Microwave "pain rays" and acoustic crowd dispersal weapons already exist.

From The Daily Beast

The Army suggests that laser, microwave or acoustic weapons are the answer.

From The Daily Beast

It was a lot of bonfires and acoustic guitar and kegs and all that stuff.

From The Daily Beast

Harry would then ask himself if it was not the effect of some acoustic illusion, or some strange and fantastic echo.

From Project Gutenberg

Acoustic, a-kowst′ik, adj. pertaining to the sense of hearing or to the theory of sounds: used in hearing, auditory.

From Project Gutenberg

They are not responsible for any specific sound or acoustic feature of sounds except, possibly, accent or stress.

From Project Gutenberg

The anatomy of the vocal organs, and the acoustic and mechanical principles of the vocal action, are briefly described.

From Project Gutenberg

But how could a being without acoustic nerve and without a tympanum hear?

From Project Gutenberg