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

See Examples For:

hi-fi

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

One of Srivastava's children had listened to a wire-tap cassette, left in the home hi-fi system, and asked his father why he had a recording of Cronje's voice.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2025

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

But while he was with us, Ed Johnson was a one-man recreation department in blue jeans and a V-necked sweater, playing for our dancing pleasure all the latest records on his homemade hi-fi system.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• audio system
• radio
• sound system