Wi-Fi

American  

[wahy-fahy] / ˈwaɪˌfaɪ /

Computers, Trademark.

1. a brand name certifying that a device or other product is compatible with a set of broadband wireless networking standards.

---

Wi-Fi British  

/ ˈwaɪˌfaɪ /

noun

1. computing a system of accessing the internet from remote machines such as laptop computers that have wireless connections

---

Etymology

Origin of Wi-Fi

First recorded in 1995–2000; wi(reless)-fi(delity), patterned after hi-fi

Example Sentences

Security, because that same encrypted tunnel makes you a much harder target on sketchy coffee-shop Wi-Fi, hotel networks, or any connection you can’t actually trust.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

But she said it was nice to not be so reliant on screens and Wi-Fi for entertainment.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Delta Air Lines selected Amazon Leo for in-flight Wi-Fi, planning a 2028 rollout, opting against SpaceX’s Starlink service.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

For the consumer, that includes upgrades to 6G networks and to the new Wi-Fi 7 standard.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Once or twice when their internet was down, Mom had had to go work at the library or Starbucks to have Wi-Fi.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix