acoustic

adjective

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acous·tic | \ ə-ˈkü-stik

variants: or acoustical \ ə-ˈkü-sti-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

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 Writer Ne-Yo originally penned it from a male perspective as a country song driven by an acoustic guitar. — Troy L. Smith, cleveland, 28 Sep. 2021 The song hasn’t been out for long, but the two bands had already toyed with performing the track in different formats prior to its new remix and acoustic version. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2021 It can be used as a regular acoustic hailing device, perhaps to give instructions to another ship or initiate a conversation. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 1 Sep. 2021 At the end of her visit, Kate positioned an acoustic monitoring device on a cherry tree in the Museum's Wildlife Garden. — Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 22 June 2021 After the crews of the Maui and Squall issued bridge-to-bridge warnings, blasted the ship’s horn, and used an acoustic warning device, the Maui fired roughly 30 warning shots from a .50-caliber machine gun, the Navy said. — Nancy A. Youssef, WSJ, 10 May 2021 The instrumental breaks take a wild turn through the middle section, with the tempo picking up dramatically and an acoustic guitar evoking the frenzy of a chase scene. — Jon Freeman, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2021 Seven of the songs from the album were on Thursday's 23-song setlist; its producer, Nashville A-lister Dave Cobb, was also in the band on acoustic guitar Thursday. — Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2021 New York percussionist/bassist/electric guitarist/keyboardist Shahzad Ismaily was joined by two L.A. improvisers: Joce on flutes and tenor sax, and De Santa De Maria on vocals, alto sax and acoustic guitar. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2021

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