WordGarden.ioaudio
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɔːdɪˌəʊ/
US
- /ˈɑdiˌoʊ/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to sound recording, playback, or the sound part of media
Noun
the sound part of a recording, video, call, or broadcast
Beyond the definition
"Audio" refers to anything related to sound—specifically the recording, transmission, or reproduction of it. Think about it like this: "visual" is for seeing, and "audio" is for hearing. While "sound" is natural, "audio" is often technical. It encompasses everything from the music in your headphones to the voice on a podcast.
We use "audio" constantly when talking about technology—an "audio recording" captures sound, and "audio equipment" helps us create or listen to it. A movie might have amazing visuals, but without good audio, it won't feel complete. Think of the difference between watching a silent film versus one with a booming soundtrack!
The word "audio" ultimately comes from the Latin verb audire, meaning "to hear." At its core, audio refers to the representation of sound. It is far more encompassing than just music; it includes speech, sound effects, and the electronic signals that our ears eventually detect as sound.
You'll encounter "audio" in many contexts. In technology, "audio files" (like MP3s) store recorded sound. An "audiobook" is a recording of someone reading a book aloud. A "sound system" is often referred to as an "audio setup." "Audio engineering" is the art and science of manipulating sound for recordings or live performances.
Audio is also used to describe the components of media. A documentary film relies on "audio-visual" elements, combining both sight and sound to tell a story. Sometimes, "audio" is used to describe the quality of what you hear. For example, you might say a video clip has "poor audio," meaning the sound is muffled, quiet, or distorted.
So, whether you are listening to your favorite song, attending a concert, or setting up a home theater, you are engaging with the world of audio—the realm of all things heard!
Examples
- 1
Synchronization
The video is fine, but the audio is out of sync.
- Phraseout of sync
not matching the picture
- 2
Call problem
I could hear them, but they couldn't hear me because my audio wasn't working.
- 3
Volume control
Please turn the audio down a little.
- 4
Recording quality
The new microphone improved the audio quality a lot.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Course materials
The course includes both video and audio.
- 6
Book format
I bought the audio version of the book for a long flight.
- 7
Listening exercise
The teacher played an audio clip and asked us to write what we heard.
- 8
Museum guide
The museum offers an audio guide in several languages.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- audioadjectivenoun