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Auditory is close in meaning to acoustic and acoustical, but auditory usually refers more to hearing than to sound. For instance, many dogs have great auditory (not acoustic) powers, and the auditory nerve lets us hear by connecting the inner ear to the brain. Acoustic and acoustical instead refer especially to instruments and the conditions under which sound can be heard; so architects concern themselves with the acoustic properties of an auditorium, and instrument makers with those of a clarinet or piano.
Synonyms
Examples of auditory in a Sentence
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2024
Senate seat, also compared him to Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who had a stroke and faced auditory processing problems as a result.
—Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2023
But as the auditory confusion clears, moments where cross-purposes align have the power of the Ghostbusters crossing their streams.
—Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2023
Both versions offer an exceptional auditory experience with plenty of snaps, crackles, and pops coming from the exhaust.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 12 Jan. 2023
In a 2020 study, researchers at the University of Lincoln in the U.K. compared the hearing and auditory functions of dogs and humans.
—Joe Phelan, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2023
Certain ideas of auditory refuge from this constant cacophony have surged in popularity online and in research circles.
—Haley Weiss, Time, 6 Jan. 2023
But sometimes a title is good not just because of its auditory pleasures, but also as a narrative; and going for a walk and listening can be just as rewarding a process as curling up and reading.
—Sebastian Modak, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2023
Her voice was an ache in auditory form, a melodic prayer of hope and hurt.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2022
Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 5 Apr. 2024
These bones called auditory ossicles are a feature that is unique to mammals and birds and reptiles only have one middle ear bone.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
The interview was conducted with the aid of closed-captioning software and a stenographer due to lingering auditory processing issues Fetterman suffers from since having a stroke in May 2022.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
Symptoms are said to vary in type and severity but often are reported to include the sudden onset of severe headaches, difficulty concentrating, auditory disturbances and memory loss.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Much louder than typically silent EVs, which suggests that Cadillac may be engaging in some auditory trickery for its electric V-Series.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Mar. 2024
The story follows a girl with auditory impairment who dreams of joining her school’s soccer team but is self-conscious about her hearing aids.
—Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024
From here, hikers will continue toward the northeast on Honey Springs Trail, walking over a few more water crossings as well as alongside the stream, which added a lovely auditory background to the journey.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024
The term refers to a play area that addresses the needs of all ages and abilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as medically fragile individuals.
—Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'auditory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Noun
Middle English auditorie, borrowed from Latin audītōrium "hall, body of listeners" — more at auditorium
Adjective
borrowed from Late Latin audītōrius, from audīre "to hear" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor — more at audible entry 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1578, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing auditory
Dictionary Entries Near auditory
Cite this Entry
“Auditory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auditory. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
auditory
adjective
Medical Definition
auditory
1 of 2 adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on auditory
Nglish: Translation of auditory for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of auditory for Arabic Speakers
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