Word noun
acoustics
n.
US /əˈkustɪks/ UK /ɐkˈuːstɪks/ acous·tics
Definition
- 01 C2 Proficiency
the scientific study of sound and how it travels.
the branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound. Treated as a singular noun in this context.
Simple“She decided to study acoustics to learn how to design better headphones.”
In context“Modern acoustics involves complex mathematical modelling to predict how sound waves interact with different materials in urban environments.”
UsageWhen referring to the science, the word is treated as singular: 'Acoustics is a difficult subject.'
Synonymsphonics
Real-world usage
“Early results from studies using passive acoustics to assess soil health in garden, forest and farmland ecosystems have proved promising.”
Etymology
From acoustic + -s.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated