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DictionaryRoot: -ibilis
Latin

-ibilis

able or suitable to be

Forms

  • -ibilis
  • -ible — The ending shortened through French and English.

Origin

A Latin form of -bilis, often attached to a verb through a linking i.

Note

It expresses possibility or suitability, not a promise that the action will happen.

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adjective

audible

AW-duh-bul/ˈɔːdəbl/

Able to be heard.

The bell is audible, making the man turn and cup his ear.

Small ringing handbell on table makes man turn and cup ear with recognition; two restrained curved sound marks bridge bell and listening ear, quiet white ground.
Etymology
audLatinhear, listen
+ibleLatinable or suitable to be

The hearing root and capability ending describe something that can be heard, rather than something that can hear. The modern meaning preserves this distinction directly.

In context

Wildlist2:36
calls audible up to 2 m away through the dense forest
The Secret Life of the White Gibbon | Voices of the Forest Canopy

More examples

  • A faint click was audible from the next room.
  • The alarm must be audible throughout the building.
  • He let out an audible sigh of relief.

Forms

audibly adverb — In a way that can be heard.

Similar words

loud
Describes strong sound, whereas something audible may be very quiet.
perceptible
Can refer to any sense rather than hearing alone.