adjective / noun
acoustic
Producing musical sound without electronic amplification.
She plays an acoustic guitar beside the open window.
Etymology
Greek akouein means to hear. From describing sound and hearing generally, acoustic came to distinguish instruments whose audible sound is produced without electronic amplification.
More examples
- The band records an acoustic version of its biggest hit.
- He brings his acoustic to the informal jam session.
- The singer performs an entirely acoustic set without amplification.
Forms
acoustic · acoustics
Similar words
- unplugged
- An informal description of performing without electric amplification.
- unamplified
- Specifies absence of amplification rather than an instrument's construction.