Word
auditory
Phoneticsau·di·to·ry, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɔdɪˌtɔɹi/
UK/ˈɔːdɪtəɹˌi/
Science
Definition
adj. relating to the sense of hearing or the way you hear sounds.
adj. relating to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the process of perceiving sound. Often used in medical, psychological, or technical contexts to describe sensory input.
Examples
“The patient has an auditory processing disorder.”
“The museum's new exhibit provides a rich auditory experience with recordings of local wildlife.”
“Researchers found that consistent auditory stimulation during early childhood is crucial for the development of complex language centers in the brain.”
Examples
simple
“The patient has an auditory processing disorder.”
contextual
“The museum's new exhibit provides a rich auditory experience with recordings of local wildlife.”
complex
“Researchers found that consistent auditory stimulation during early childhood is crucial for the development of complex language centers in the brain.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; often contrasted with 'visual' or 'tactile'.
Real-World Examples
“Another approach uses sound to cut through the tinnitus feedback loop in the auditory pathway.” “These surveys helped them identify adults, eggs and larvae, while auditory surveys helped them identify calls.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin audītōrius (“pertaining to a hearer or hearing”), from audiō (“to hear”) + -tōrius (“-tory”, adjectival suffix).
From Latin audītōrium (“the place where something is heard; the assembled hearers”) + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/auditory