noun
audible
A change of play called at the line of scrimmage in American football.
The quarterback calls an audible after studying the defense's formation.
Etymology
Latin audire means to hear, and the ending expresses possibility. Football uses the adjective as a noun for a play change communicated aloud where teammates can hear it.
More examples
- The team practiced several audibles before the game.
- His audible changed the planned run into a pass.
- The noise made it difficult to hear the audible.
Forms
audible · audibles
Similar words
- play change
- Is broader and need not occur at the line of scrimmage.
- signal
- Can communicate an existing play rather than change it.