audible

American  

[aw-duh-buhl] / ˈɔ də bəl /

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.

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noun

audibles plural

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.

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.

audible British  

/ ˈɔːdɪbəl /

adjective

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

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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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• audibles
  plural

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?

Example Sentences

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

The devices produce sounds audible only to porpoises and dolphins, which can deter them from approaching fishing nets.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Though piano, synthesizer and what seems to be a reed instrument are audible, it comes across as something created spontaneously with toys and noise-making devices discovered in a room.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

It’s an audible version of the dramatic pause that is wielded to such versatile effect by Anton Chekhov, Harold Pinter and Annie Baker.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

“Another coincidence,” she said, her voice barely audible.

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett

Related Words

• deafening
• detectable
• discernible
• distinct
• loud
• perceptible
• resounding
• sounding