hi-fi

American  

[hahy-fahy] / ˈhaɪˈfaɪ /

noun

1. high fidelity.

2. a phonograph, radio, or other sound-reproducing apparatus possessing high fidelity.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of such apparatus; high-fidelity.

hi-fi British  

/ ˈhaɪˈfaɪ /

noun

1. 1. short for high fidelity

   2. ( as modifier )

      hi-fi equipment

2. a set of high-quality sound-reproducing equipment

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Etymology

Origin of hi-fi

1945–50, shortened form of high fidelity

Example Sentences

I once needed to drive an old 1958 hi-fi console to a repair shop an hour away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

Vinyl Room joins a short list of places where audiophiles can go to listen to music on hi-fi equipment, which many argue is the best way to experience it.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

The company made critically acclaimed, sophisticated hi-fi systems whose buyers included Frank Sinatra and Hugh Hefner.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2023

Dubbed “Supremium” internally, according to people familiar with the strategy, the new tier will be Spotify’s most expensive plan and likely offer a hi-fi feature the company first announced it was working on in 2021.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2023

I hope it’s not too backward to say that I felt like I had never heard anything on my hi-fi back home that came out that good.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

Related Words

• audio system
• radio
• sound system