inaudible

adjective

in·​au·​di·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈnȯ-də-bəl How to pronounce inaudible (audio)
: not audible
inaudible comments
inaudibility noun
inaudibly adverb

Did you know?

With its negative prefix in-, inaudible means the opposite of audible. What's clearly audible to you may be inaudible to your elderly grandfather. Modern spy technology can turn inaudible conversations into audible ones with the use of high-powered directional microphones, so if you think you're being spied on, make sure there's a lot of other noise around you. And if you don't want everyone around you to know you're bored, keep your sighs inaudible.

Examples of inaudible in a Sentence

She spoke so quietly that she was almost inaudible. The sound is inaudible to humans but can be heard by dogs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The production has a lot of recorded sound and this has its issues; some of the language therein is inaudible, which is a shame, albeit something easily corrected. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 Though their conversation was inaudible over the sounds in the gymnasium, Abdul-Jabbar seemed to make a joke about Johnson wearing Michigan State gear — looking down at his own letterman jacket and back up at Johnson’s green hoodie. Angel Saunders, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025 Her inaudible grunt gives way to another coughing fit. Bailey Richards, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025 Earlier this month, on Jan. 20, Cyrus’ Liberty Ball appearance was plagued with technical issues, leaving his guitar inaudible and forcing him to haphazard a cappella performance. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inaudible

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin inaudibilis, from Latin in- + Late Latin audibilis audible

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inaudible was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inaudible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inaudible. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

inaudible

adjective
in·​au·​di·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈȯd-ə-bəl How to pronounce inaudible (audio)
: impossible to hear : not audible
inaudibility noun
inaudibly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on inaudible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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