: the production or reproduction of audio characterized by an unpolished or rough sound quality
lo-fi adjective

Examples of lo-fi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The film’s limited resources become a little more obvious towards the end, but Miike wears his low-budget bona fides with pride, and the lo-fi production values only add to the grittiness of its urban setting. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026 The lo-fi nature of the videos, their formulaic content, and their inaccuracies don’t seem to have turned off viewers. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The group’s early music was lo-fi, vintage-leaning, and just twee enough to make the scrappy garage rockers an emblem of early-mid aughts Urban Outfitters hipsterdom. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026 That lo-fi, front-facing comedy gave way to great indie movies, which led to starring on I Love LA, and now culminates in his star vehicle, Club Kid, one of the most exciting upcoming awards-season prospects. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lo-fi

Word History

Etymology

low fidelity

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lo-fi was in 1957

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lo-fi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lo-fi. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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