audible

[aw-duh-buhl]

adjective

1. loud enough to be heard; able to be heard.

   The pun brought an audible groan from his colleague.

   When I’m working in the basement, the sound of the traffic is barely audible.

noun

1. Also called automatic, checkoff. Football.,  a play called aloud by the quarterback at the line of scrimmage to supersede the play originally agreed upon as a result of a change in strategy.

   The quarterback called an audible that sent the running back past the other offensive guard.

   Cheering by the fans made it hard for either team to hear any audibles.

audible

/ ˈɔːdɪbəl /

adjective

1. perceptible to the hearing; loud enough to be heard

noun

1. American football a change of playing tactics called by the quarterback when the offense is lined up at the line of scrimmage

Other Word Forms

• audibility noun
• audibleness noun
• audibly adverb
• nonaudibility noun
• nonaudible adjective
• nonaudibleness noun
• nonaudibly adverb
• quasi-audible adjective
• quasi-audibly adverb
• subaudibility noun
• subaudible adjective
• subaudibleness noun
• subaudibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of audible¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin audībilis, from Latin audī(re) “to hear” + -bilis -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of audible¹

C16: from Late Latin audibilis, from Latin audīre to hear

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. call an audible, to make a last-minute change of plan in response to circumstances, new information, etc..

   Instead of the first song on their set list, the band called an audible and played one that was known to be especially popular on campus.

Example Sentences

But she adapted quickly and surprised coaches with her grasp of the audible ball system.

Read more on BBC

Shooting scenes with Grande and Erivo could be a challenge — each required completely different lighting, which meant that Brooks had to make audible calls to the lighting crew as their scenes were shot.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Through heavy static, barely audible answers crackle over from a crew member, who gradually lists the ship's insurance details, flag state and last port of call – Suez, Egypt.

Read more on BBC

Penelope tried, but the friendly ostrich call was even less audible than Beowulf’s rabbit call, if possible.

Read more on Literature

After videos of the event went viral online, the local news agency Fars reported that "a piece of music with political connotations" was audible behind "vulgar" images of unveiled women.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• deafening 
• detectable www.thesaurus.com
• discernible 
• distinct 
• loud 
• perceptible 
• resounding 
• sounding