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

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

• 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

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

There was an audible cheer when Wood stepped up to take the penalty - Morgan Gibbs-White having missed from the spot against Strum Graz and Braga this season.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

There was an audible buzz when a cluster of people were about to walk through, but then a sense of immediate deflation when it turned out merely to be John Thune or Chuck Schumer.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

Among NASA's team in Houston, there were "audible screams of delight" from scientists when the crew described flashes of light caused by meteorite impact, Young said.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

His hybrid mixes also include elements of sonideros, most audible in tracks like “Lo Que Esconde.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

The door gave an audible click, and he flung it open and strode through.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

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