# acoustic

/əˈkustɪk/ (US) · /ɐkˈuːstɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acoustic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. non-electric instruments

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- He played an acoustic guitar during the small campfire party.
- 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. relating to sound or hearing

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The doctor checked his acoustic nerve to see why his hearing was fading.
- The research facility was designed with advanced acoustic sensors to detect even the slightest vibrations in the earth's crust.

### 3. sound quality of a room

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The old church has wonderful acoustics for choir music.
- 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.

### 4. basic or non-digital

adjective · CEFR C1 · Humorous · Informal

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

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

- I used an acoustic map because my phone battery died.
- In an age of tablets and styluses, he still prefers the acoustic experience of a fountain pen and a paper notebook.

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

## Examples

- He plays an acoustic guitar in the park.
- The architect designed the concert hall with specific materials to improve the acoustic quality of the space.
- While digital synthesizers offer endless variety, many purists prefer the warm, organic resonance of an acoustic piano because of the physical interaction between the hammers and strings.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.