audible
gb/ˈɔdɪbəl/ us/ˈɔdɪbəl/
B2
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
able to be heard
Loud enough so that people can hear it.
Usage pattern:
[something] is audible (to [someone])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "audible" with "audio". "Audible" is an adjective meaning something can be heard. "Audio" is a noun or adjective related to sound in general (e.g., "audio file", "audio system"). Also, learners may wrongly say *"an audible" to mean "a sound"; in general contexts, use "a sound" or "a noise" instead.
Synonyms
hearable (Less common and slightly informal; means simply that something can be heard.)
Antonyms
inaudible (Describes a sound that cannot be heard, usually because it is too quiet or at the wrong frequency.)
Collocations
barely audible
|clearly audible
|audible sound
|audible sigh
|audible gasp
|audible alarm
Themes
daily life
|communication
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The announcement was barely audible over the noise of the crowd.
- There was an audible click as the door locked behind her.
- His voice was clearly audible through the thin walls of the apartment.
- An audible alarm will sound if the door is opened after midnight.
Learner examples
- The music was so soft it was hardly audible.
- Her whisper was not audible to the people at the back.
- There was an audible noise when the glass broke.
- The teacher spoke loudly to make sure he was audible to everyone.
Noun
technical
C1
action
2
last-minute play change (football)
In American football, a new play that the quarterback calls with a short shout just before the play starts.
Usage pattern:
[someone] calls an audible
Common mistake:
Learners may think "audible" here still means only "something that can be heard". In sports, especially American football, "an audible" is a special noun for a last-second changed play called out by the quarterback. They may also incorrectly say *"do an audible" instead of the common phrase "call an audible".
Synonyms
play change (A general phrase for changing the planned play; not specific to the special verbal signal used in American football.)
Antonyms
set play (A play that is planned and followed without last-minute changes, the opposite of changing it with an audible.)
Collocations
call an audible
|quarterback audible
|defensive audible
|line-of-scrimmage audible
Themes
sports
|games
|communication
Examples
- Seeing the defense shift, the quarterback called an audible at the line.
- The coach encouraged his quarterback to use an audible if the blitz looked too strong.
- The audible caught the defense off guard and led to a long touchdown pass.
Learner examples
- The quarterback called an audible when he saw the defense move.
- Our team scored after the quarterback used an audible.
- Sometimes the coach allows the quarterback to call an audible on the field.
Grammar
Dictionary form
audible
IPA
GB/ˈɔdɪbəl/
US/ˈɔdɪbəl/
Syllables & stress
aud - ible (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (aud)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: audible
Word family
Expressions
an audible gasp
1/ən ˈɔdɪbəl ɡˈæsp/
fixed phrase
a clearly heard gasp
A short, loud breath in that people can clearly hear, usually because someone is very surprised or shocked.
Examples
- There was an audible gasp when the winner’s name was announced.
- She let out an audible gasp as the car swerved in front of them.
an audible sigh
1/ən ˈɔdɪbəl sˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
a clearly heard sigh
A long breath out that people can clearly hear, often showing feelings like relief, sadness, or frustration.
Examples
- An audible sigh went through the crowd when the game ended in a draw.
- He gave an audible sigh when he finally finished the report.
call an audible
1/kˈɔl ən ˈɔdɪbəl/
idiom
informal
change a plan at the last moment
To change your plan at the last second, usually because something has changed, especially by giving a quick spoken instruction.
Examples
- We were going to eat out, but we called an audible and cooked at home instead.
- The manager called an audible during the meeting and canceled the product launch.
- When it started raining, the coach called an audible and moved practice indoors.