What does inaudibly mean?
Inaudibly is an adverb meaning in a way that cannot be heard, or more quietly than the listener can perceive. It is used when describing speech, movement, or another sound that is too faint to detect, and it can suggest that an action is imperceptible rather than simply quiet. For example, a person might speak inaudibly in a crowded room, or a mechanical noise might be masked by louder sounds. The adverb is formed from the adjective “inaudible,” which means “not able to be heard.” Although “quietly” and “softly” are often suitable alternatives, “inaudibly” is more precise when the sound itself is inaudible rather than merely low in volume. It is more typical of formal writing than everyday conversation.
adverbIn a manner or to a degree that cannot be heard; too softly to hear.
- In a manner or to a degree that cannot be heard.
"She spoke inaudibly, so I asked her to repeat herself."
"He muttered inaudibly and then walked away."
"The warning bell rang inaudibly beneath the noise of the traffic."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inaudibly come from?
The adverb “inaudibly” was formed from the adjective “inaudible,” using the standard English adverbial suffix -ly. “Inaudible” combines the Latin-derived prefix in- meaning “not” with “audible,” from Latin audire, “to hear.” The same Latin root appears in related English words including “audible,” “audibility,” “audience,” and “audio.”
Related word forms
How inaudibly is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon. It is more emphatic than “quietly” because it indicates that the sound cannot be heard at all, rather than merely being spoken at a low volume.
Easily confused with inaudibly
“Inaudible” is an adjective describing something that cannot be heard, while “inaudibly” is an adverb describing an action performed in a way that cannot be heard.