acoustic

adjective

acous·​tic ə-ˈkü-stik How to pronounce acoustic (audio)
variants or acoustical
1
: of or relating to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the science of sounds
acoustic apparatus of the ear
acoustic energy
: such as
a
: deadening or absorbing sound
acoustic tile
b
: operated by or utilizing sound waves
2
: of, relating to, or being a musical instrument whose sound is not electronically modified
acoustically adverb

Examples of acoustic in a Sentence

the acoustic properties of a room She loves listening to acoustic folk music. an acoustic performance of a rock-and-roll song
Recent Examples on the Web The songs were sparse and built around acoustic guitar, with a vividly confessional lyricism. Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024 The drivers are designed to deliver the purest sound with realistic sound staging and imaging as each diaphragm movement translates into an instant sound with frequencies not being artificially produced nor enhanced with acoustic cavities and resonance. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 His voice quivers, the acoustic guitars are nimble, and the cinematic strings shimmer like a diaphanous veil between earth and heaven. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 Sweet’s national acoustic tour, which has included Hanson on only some dates, was scheduled to continue through November 16. Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acoustic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acoustic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

acoustic borrowed from Medieval Latin acousticus, acūsticus, borrowed from Greek akoustikós, from akoustós "heard, audible" (verbal adjective of akoúein "to hear," going back to Indo-European *h2kou̯s-) + -ikos -ic entry 1; acoustical from acoustic + -al entry 1 — more at hear

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of acoustic was in 1635

Dictionary Entries Near acoustic

Cite this Entry

“Acoustic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acoustic. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

acoustic

adjective
acous·​tic ə-ˈkü-stik How to pronounce acoustic (audio)
variants or acoustical
1
: of or relating to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the science of sounds: as
a
: deadening or absorbing sound
b
: operated by or using sound waves
2
: of, relating to, or being a musical instrument whose sound is not electronically modified
acoustic guitar
acoustically adverb

Medical Definition

acoustic

adjective
acous·​tic ə-ˈkü-stik How to pronounce acoustic (audio)
variants or acoustical
: of or relating to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the science of sounds
acoustic apparatus of the ear
acoustic energy
: as
a
: deadening or absorbing sound
acoustic tile
b
: operated by or utilizing sound waves
acoustically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on acoustic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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