acoustic

adjective

acous·tic | \ ə-ˈküs-tik

variants: or acoustical \ -ti-kəl

Definition of acoustic

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

Other Words from acoustic Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about acoustic

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Synonyms & Antonyms for acoustic

Synonyms

audial, audile, auditory, aural, auricular

Antonyms

nonauditory

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

There is also an acoustic set part of the way through — the only real concession, according to Richards, to slowing down. — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, "With Rolling Stones’ return, Keith Richards looks for peace and quiet — on stage," 29 June 2019 The opening act, Connecticut’s Alexander, plays equally captivating acoustic music defined by intense quiet. — John Adamian, courant.com, "Brazilian pop star Sessa at the State House," 28 June 2019 The Phoenix, Arizona native later played an acoustic set in the Toyota Music Den, too. — Gab Ginsberg, Billboard, "Panic! At The Disco, Vampire Weekend and More Usher in Summer at Firefly Music Festival," 24 June 2019 Last night, Jackson and Glenn performed an acoustic set together at the Good Times at Davey Wayne’s bar in Hollywood, California. — Vogue, "Paris Jackson and Her New Boyfriend Are Fashion’s Grooviest New Couple," 23 May 2019 The reckoning cuts sharp inside a small-combo setting defined by acoustic guitar and piano, only to be undercut by an invasion of strings and horns. — Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, "Review: Bruce Springsteen drops off 'Western Stars' in Vegas," 14 June 2019 Slash got me this really nice acoustic guitar for the tour. — Sarah Rodman, EW.com, "Try a Little Tenderness: Duff McKagan on working with Shooter Jennings and new Guns N' Roses music," 14 June 2019 The orchestra features mandolins, acoustic guitar, whistles, flutes, fiddles and pipes. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "'Come From Away:’ Amazing show closes out Broadway season in Orlando | Review," 11 June 2019 For her rendition of the track, Brie turns the piano ballad into an equally moving acoustic number. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Brie Larson Sings Ariana Grande's "My Everything" on Instagram," 5 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acoustic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for acoustic

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 h₂kous-) + -ikos -ic entry 1; acoustical from acoustic + -al entry 1 — more at hear