acoustic
UK: əˈkuːstɪk | US: əˈkuːstɪk
adj. relating to sound or hearing
adj. (of music) not amplified electronically
n. the properties of a space that affect how sound is transmitted
acoustic = acous<hearing> + tic<adjective suffix>
- acous (from Greek akouein "to hear")
- tic (adjective-forming suffix, often indicating relation or pertaining to)
Etymology Origin:
The word acoustic traces back to Greek akoustikos ("pertaining to hearing"), derived from akouein ("to hear"). The root acous reflects the core idea of sound perception, while the suffix -tic standardizes it as an adjective in English. The term evolved through Latin (acusticus) and French (acoustique) before entering English in the 17th century, retaining its focus on sound and auditory properties.
The concert hall has excellent acoustic qualities.
She prefers acoustic guitars over electric ones.
The study of acoustic physics explores how sound travels.
The room’s poor acoustic design made speeches hard to hear.
Whales use acoustic signals to communicate underwater.