Meaning & use
audibly
Last updated
Meaning
adverb
In a way that can be heard; loudly or clearly enough to be noticed by others.
Grammar: Usually modifies verbs like 'sigh', 'gasp', 'breathe', or 'click' to show the sound is noticeable.
Patterns
- sigh audibly
- gasp audibly
- speak audibly
She sighed audibly when she saw the long line.
The audience gasped audibly at the surprise ending.
He spoke audibly so everyone in the room could hear.
Common combinations
- sigh audibly
- He sighed audibly and put down the heavy box.
- gasp audibly
- The children gasped audibly when the magician made the rabbit disappear.
- breathe audibly
- After the race, she was breathing audibly.
- audibly relieved
- He was audibly relieved when he heard the good news.
Synonyms and how they differ
- aloud
- Aloud simply means 'not silently'; audibly adds that the sound is clear enough to be heard.
- loudly
- Loudly means 'with great volume'; audibly means 'just loud enough to be heard'.
- clearly
- Clearly can mean 'in a way that is easy to hear', but audibly specifically relates to sound being heard.
Opposites
Word family
- audible adjective
- Able to be heard.
- audibility noun
- The quality of being loud or clear enough to be heard.
- inaudible adjective
- Not able to be heard.
Commonly confused: audibly or aloud?
audibly vs aloud
Aloud means 'not in a whisper or silently'; audibly means 'in a way that can be heard'. You can read aloud but not audibly if no one can hear you.
Practice
Choose the correct word: 'She whispered so softly that her voice was barely ______.'
Choose one answer.
Audibly means 'in a way that can be heard'; here it describes how the voice could be heard. 'Aloud' would mean she spoke not silently, but doesn't fit 'barely'. 'Audaciously' means boldly, and 'loudly' means with great volume, neither of which fits softly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “audibly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.