acoustic

English Online Dictionary. What means acoustic‎? What does acoustic mean?

English

Alternative forms

• acoustick (obsolete)
• acoustical

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin acūsticus, acousticos, from Ancient Greek ἀκουστῐκός (akoustĭkós, “of or for hearing”), from ἀκούω (akoúō, “to hear”) +‎ -ῐκός (-ĭkós, adjectival suffix). Sense 4 ("autistic") was popularized on TikTok in late October 2023. Doublet of hear.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈkuː.stɪk/
• Rhymes: -uːstɪk

Adjective

acoustic (not comparable)

1. Pertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds.

   Synonym: auditory

   1. (architecture, of building materials) Used for soundproofing or modifying sound.
   2. (of a device or system) Using sound energy in its operation.
   3. (weaponry, of an explosive mine or other weapon) Able to be set off by sound waves.
2. (music) Naturally producing or produced by an instrument without electrical amplification or the need thereof.

   Coordinate term: unplugged

3. (humorous or proscribed) Non-electric; mechanical.
5. (Internet slang) Euphemistic form of autistic.

   Synonym: artistic

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

acoustic (plural acoustics)

1. (usually in the plural) The properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it.
2. (medicine) A medicine or other agent to assist hearing.
3. Clipping of acoustic guitar.

Translations

References

Further reading

• “acoustic”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “acoustic”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.