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
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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:
The effect is less a fall than a settling—from yearning into tenderness, like an audible sigh.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 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 was the last speaker of the three-hour event, and thunder had been audible outside for over an hour.
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
Chelsea's stadium announcer then opted against reading out the names of the substitutes shortly before the match, but there were audible boos when Fernandez came on in the 62nd minute.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
“I don’t like thunder. It scares me,” said the caribou in a voice that was barely audible.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
He also called the audibles on defense, was entrusted with increased leadership roles and delivered against one top opponent after another, leaving little doubt he can mix it up against the best receivers anywhere.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2024
“Every day, teachers call audibles at the line of scrimmage, figuring out what materials and words will work,” Mr. Pondiscio said.
From New York Times ● Dec. 10, 2021
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
He asked defensive coordinator Dennis Allen if he could call the plays and audibles, because he knew the offense, and understood how Brady would think, better than Denver’s defensive coaches.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 1, 2019
Visibles are swiftlier carried to the sense than audibles.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Noah Webster
Definitions 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.
