What does reverb mean?
Reverb is the lingering sound that remains when a sound is reflected from the surfaces around it. In a large hall, a voice may be heard both directly and through overlapping reflections, producing a spacious, sustained quality. The same effect can be created deliberately in music and audio production using devices or software that imitate reflected sound. Reverb differs from an echo because it usually blends many reflections into a continuous acoustic effect rather than presenting one clearly identifiable repetition. The word is especially familiar in descriptions of guitars, vocals, rooms, and recording studios, but it is also used in architecture, speech processing, and environmental acoustics. As a verb, reverb means to echo or reverberate, although reverberate is more usual. Together, these meanings make reverb a useful word for describing both the physical behavior of sound and the impression that an environment creates on a listener.
The prolonged, blended effect of sound reflected from surrounding surfaces.
"A trace of reverb made the quiet studio sound larger."
Common in acoustics, music, and audio production; it may refer to the physical effect or to a device or software effect that imitates it.
To reverberate; to echo or resound.
"The bell's sound reverb through the old cathedral."
Less common than the verb reverberate and often used in formal, literary, or descriptive contexts.
The plural is uncommon in general speech but can refer to separate reverb effects, devices, or acoustic characteristics.
"The engineer layered several reverbs to create the expansive atmosphere."
One handclap can become a whole roomful of sound: reverb is what keeps the room talking after the clap is gone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of reverb
The word reverb is a shortened form of reverberation. Reverberation comes from Latin reverberare, formed from re- meaning back and verberare meaning to beat or strike, so the underlying idea is sound striking surfaces and rebounding. The related forms reverberate and reverberant preserve this Latin-derived vocabulary.
Related word forms
How reverb is actually used
As a noun, reverb is common in acoustics, music, and audio production. As a verb, it is less common and tends to sound more literary or technical than reverberate.
Easily confused with reverb
An echo is a recognizable repetition of a sound, whereas reverb is the extended, blended sound created by many reflections.
Resonance is a sound or vibration produced in response to another frequency, while reverb specifically refers to the effect of reflected sound.