inaudibility

IPA/ɪnˌɔːdəˈbɪləti/
IPA/ɪnˌɔːdəˈbɪləti/

inaudibility — noun

1. a condition in which a sound, voice, or signal is so quiet, far away, or muffled

1.nounC1
Definition

a condition in which a sound, voice, or signal is so quiet, far away, or muffled that the human ear cannot pick it up

Example

The technician adjusted the microphone to fix the inaudibility of the narrator's voice.

uncountable noun describing a quality of sound

Stefan complained about the inaudibility of the tour guide in the crowded market square.

Common collocations
  • the inaudibility of [a sound/voice/signal]
  • cause inaudibility
  • overcome inaudibility
  • lead to inaudibility
  • result in inaudibility
Synonyms
  • silence

    broader term — refers to the complete absence of sound, not just a specific sound being too quiet to hear

  • unhearability

    very rare; sometimes used in technical acoustics

  • muffledness

    informal; describes a sound that is partly blocked rather than completely inaudible

Antonyms
  • audibility

    direct opposite — the quality of being able to be heard clearly

  • loudness

    describes high volume, not just the ability to be heard

Grammar Patterns

the inaudibility of [something]

Usage Note

Uncountable noun. Typically used in formal, technical, or academic contexts, especially when discussing audio equipment, sound quality, hearing tests, or acoustic environments.

Common Mistakes

The inaudibility of the library helped me study.
The silence of the library helped me study.
Inaudibility refers to a specific sound not being heard, not a general quiet environment.