ENGLISH
REFERENCE

acoustic

adj. · n.
US //əˈkustɪk// UK //ɐkˈuːstɪk// acous·tic
  1. 1 non-electric instruments (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    describing a musical instrument that makes sound naturally without using electricity or an amplifier.

    relating to musical instruments that produce sound through natural resonance rather than electronic amplification.

    Example

    He played an acoustic guitar during the small campfire party.

    Example

    The band decided to record an acoustic version of their hit single to showcase the lead singer's raw vocal talent.

    Usage

    Usually precedes the noun it modifies.
  2. 2 relating to sound or hearing (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    related to the sense of hearing or the science of sound.

    pertaining to the physical properties of sound or the biological mechanics of the auditory system.

    Example

    The doctor checked his acoustic nerve to see why his hearing was fading.

    Example

    The research facility was designed with advanced acoustic sensors to detect even the slightest vibrations in the earth's crust.
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  1. 3 sound quality of a room (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Architecture

    the qualities of a room or building that affect how easy it is to hear sounds in it.

    the physical characteristics of a space that determine the fidelity and transmission of sound within it.

    Example

    The old church has wonderful acoustics for choir music.

    Example

    Architects must carefully consider the acoustics of a lecture hall to ensure that the speaker's voice carries clearly to the back row.

    Usage

    Almost always used in the plural form 'acoustics' when referring to a room's properties.
  2. 4 basic or non-digital (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Humorous Informal

    a funny way to describe something that is manual or simple instead of high-tech.

    used humorously to describe mechanical or non-electronic versions of modern digital tools.

    Example

    I used an acoustic map because my phone battery died.

    Example

    In an age of tablets and styluses, he still prefers the acoustic experience of a fountain pen and a paper notebook.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a playful, modern use of the word; it compares a physical object to an 'unplugged' instrument.
Etymology 1

Borrowed from Medieval Latin acousticus, acūsticus, from Ancient Greek ἀκουστῐκός (akoustĭkós, “of or for hearing”), from ἀκούω (akoúō, “to hear”) + -ῐκός (-ĭkós, adjectival suffix).

Etymology 2

Due to the shared metrical structure of autistic and acoustic. Popularized on TikTok in late October 2023.

Word family

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