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:
There were audible jeers when he came on in Saturday's 3-1 friendly win over Real Sociedad, although others responded with cheers.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Videos of audible screams of riders on the coaster have gone viral in recent weeks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
As the legal battle ramped up, Sorsby called an audible with a new plan to drop his litigation and enter the NFL through the supplemental draft, which last saw a player taken in 2019.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
The Russian defence ministry said "signal flares were fired and audible signals were sounded" to get the attention of the yacht on Tuesday.
From Barron's ● Jun. 16, 2026
“Leave my house,” she says, her voice barely audible.
From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed
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
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
Microphones in the shoulder pads of offensive linemen pick up audibles, like when quarterback Peyton Manning famously yelled “Omaha” repeatedly.
From New York Times ● Aug. 17, 2020
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.
