acoustic

adjective

acous·​tic ə-ˈkü-stik 

variants or acoustical

ə-ˈkü-sti-kəl 

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

ə-ˈkü-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• audial
• audile
• auditory
• aural
• auricular

Example Sentences

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

Ducks swam in the pond as a few members of the Salut band played acoustic guitar and bellini cocktails were passed around. —Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2023

Its structure is extremely simple — just piano, bass, drums, and acoustic guitar. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2023

The heavy trudge of electric guitar joins James Hetfield in the verses, while twinges of acoustic guitar adorn its chorus, adding more of that scorched earth, desert drift feeling. —Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2022

With just his singular, soulful voice and an acoustic guitar, Houck stripped down Williams’ heartbreaker this past November — while beavers built their winter dams. —Leo Deluca, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2022

Guests told the newspaper that footage from the wedding showed him serenading his new bride with an acoustic guitar. —Nardine Saadstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2022

The rolling road is not required for aeroacoustic testing, so the car sits atop an acoustic cover that protects the belt. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 2022

Kevin Bacon played an acoustic version of the remix, and used an ear of corn to strum along to the catchy beat. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 6 Jan. 2023

The solutions are not purely acoustic, because that would be easy, said Torija Martinez. —Katharine Gammon, Discover Magazine, 18 Feb. 2022

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

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing acoustic

• acoustic emission

• acoustic emission

Kids Definition

acoustic

adjective

acous·​tic ə-ˈkü-stik 

variants or acoustical

-sti-kəl 

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

-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

acoustic

adjective

acous·​tic ə-ˈkü-stik 

variants or acoustical

-sti-kəl 

: 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

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb