Word
audibly
Phoneticsau·di·bly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑdəbɫi/
UK/ˈɔːdəbli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that you can hear. You use it when a sound is clear enough for other people to notice.
adv. loud enough to be heard; perceptible by the ear. Often modifies verbs of breathing, speaking, or reacting.
Examples
“She sighs audibly when the meeting runs late.”
“The old radiator clicks audibly as it cools down after the heat switches off at night.”
“He exhales audibly before answering, the sound betraying a weariness his carefully neutral expression tries to hide.”
Examples
simple
“She sighs audibly when the meeting runs late.”
contextual
“The old radiator clicks audibly as it cools down after the heat switches off at night.”
complex
“He exhales audibly before answering, the sound betraying a weariness his carefully neutral expression tries to hide.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “audibly” in context.
Verb
01. audibly chuckle
“My teacher audibly chuckled at my joke during the lesson.”
adverb + verb
02. audibly exhale
“She audibly exhaled with relief when the plane landed safely.”
adverb + verb
03. audibly sob
“She audibly sobbed through the sad ending of the film.”
adverb + verb
04. breathe audibly
“The baby was breathing audibly in his sleep.”
verb + adverb
05. gasp audibly
“The audience gasped audibly as the magician disappeared.”
verb + adverb
06. groan audibly
“He groaned audibly when he saw the long queue at the bank.”
verb + adverb
07. sigh audibly
“She sighed audibly when she heard the exam was postponed.”
verb + adverb
08. swallow audibly
“He swallowed audibly before answering the difficult question.”
verb + adverb
09. gasp audibly in shock
“The crowd gasped audibly in shock at the final goal.”
10. groan audibly in pain
“He groaned audibly in pain after twisting his ankle.”
11. sigh audibly with relief
“She sighed audibly with relief after hearing she had passed.”
12. swallow audibly with nerves
“He swallowed audibly with nerves before the interview.”
Usage
Typically placed after the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.
Real-World Examples
“As Trump walked away, Krähenbühl sought to clarify, shouting “the live-streaming?” but the president did not reply audibly.” “That's what happened this week in Tennessee, when 50-year-old inmate Christa Pike remained breathing and audibly snoring after two separate doses of pentobarbital, the barbiturate used in the state's lethal injection protocol.” “In peninsular Malaysia, Karen-Michaela Tan, an asthma patient who lives near the capital, Kuala Lumpur, said that a week after the haze thickened, she was “wheezing audibly” and “breathless when climbing stairs”.” “Do you want a cell that’s got mould or do you want a cell that has electricity?’ As a joke.” She is still audibly enraged.” Etymology
From audible + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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