audible

[ aw-duh-buhl ]

adjective

1. loud enough to be heard; able to be heard:

   The pun brought an audible groan from his colleague.

   When I’m working in the basement, the sound of the traffic is barely audible.

noun

1. Also called automatic, checkoff. Football. a play called aloud by the quarterback at the line of scrimmage to supersede the play originally agreed upon as a result of a change in strategy:

   The quarterback called an audible that sent the running back past the other offensive guard.

   Cheering by the fans made it hard for either team to hear any audibles.

audible

/ ˈɔːdɪbəl /

adjective

1. perceptible to the hearing; loud enough to be heard

noun

1. American football a change of playing tactics called by the quarterback when the offense is lined up at the line of scrimmage

Derived Forms

• ˌaudiˈbility, noun
• ˈaudibly, adverb

Other Words From

• au·di·bil·i·ty [aw-d, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], au·di·ble·ness noun
• au·di·bly adverb
• non·au·di·bil·i·ty noun
• non·au·di·ble adjective
• non·au·di·ble·ness noun
• non·au·di·bly adverb
• qua·si-au·di·ble adjective
• qua·si-au·di·bly adverb
• sub·au·di·bil·i·ty noun
• sub·au·di·ble adjective
• sub·au·di·ble·ness noun
• sub·au·di·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of audible¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin audībilis, from Latin audī(re) “to hear” + -bilis -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of audible¹

C16: from Late Latin audibilis, from Latin audīre to hear

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. call an audible, to make a last-minute change of plan in response to circumstances, new information, etc.:

   Instead of the first song on their set list, the band called an audible and played one that was known to be especially popular on campus.

Example Sentences

Then came Kennedy — whose unabashed bigotry drew audible gasps from the audience.

From Salon

And then when they announced the winner, we didn’t win, there was an audible groan from the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

A repeating tone - blip, blip, blip - is the audible reminder that we are in one of the most hazardous nuclear sites in the world: Sellafield.

From BBC

The contrived third act notwithstanding, expect audiences in movie theaters to engage with “The Front Room” in audible gasps, one nauseating stunt at a time.

From Los Angeles Times

Like a quarterback calling an audible, Chase Griffin wants to change those financial fortunes for his Bruins teammates.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deafening
• detectable
• discernible
• distinct
• loud
• perceptible
• resounding
• sounding