acoustic

English

Alternative forms

• acoustick (obsolete)
• acoustical

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin acousticus, from Ancient Greek ἀκουστῐκός (akoustikós, “of or for hearing”), from ἀκούω (akoúō, “to hear”) +‎ -ῐκός (-ikós, adjectival suffix). Sense 4 ("autistic") was popularized on TikTok in late October 2023.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈkuː.stɪk/

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uːstɪk

Adjective

acoustic (not comparable)

1. Pertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds.

   Synonym: auditory

   1. (architecture, of building materials) Used for soundproofing or modifying sound.
   2. (of a device or system) Using sound energy in its operation.
   3. (weaponry, of an explosive mine or other weapon) Able to be set off by sound waves.
2. (music) Naturally producing or produced by an instrument without electrical amplification or the need thereof.

   acoustic guitar, acoustic piano

3. (humorous or proscribed) Non-electric; mechanical.

   acoustic bike

   • 2022 May 19, “How to Get Started Biking”, in Wired‎:

     For a lot of people, riding a bike through a crowded city—or even on suburban avenues—might feel daunting. Should you get an electric or acoustic bicycle?

5. (Internet slang) Euphemistic form of autistic.

   Synonym: artistic

   • 2014 November 22, u/Victorboris1, “anon is acoustic”, in Reddit‎, r/4chan, archived from the original on 5 December 2023:

     Implying mathematicians aren't acoustic. I'm an engineer, and even mathematicians freak me out with their autism.

   • 2017 May 14, “Are ADHD spinners /ourtoy/ ?”, in Reddit‎, r/4chan, archived from the original on 5 December 2023:

     Spinners are for severely acoustic children

   • , r/4chan, archived from the original on 5 December 2023:

     I explained I got a 3 day ban for calling someone acoustic because it's bullying/harassment, hence the use of acoustic.]

   • 2023 December 2, @ScarletGodzilla, Twitter‎, archived from the original on 5 December 2023:

     cant stand self diagnosed acoustic people ☠️

   • 2023 December 4, @yeahabsolutelyy, Twitter‎, archived from the original on 5 December 2023:

     the whole "is he acoustic" tiktok comment shit is so fucking annoying and just ableist at this point and i'm so sick of it

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

acoustic (plural acoustics)

1. (usually in the plural) The properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it.
2. (medicine) A medicine or other agent to assist hearing.
3. Clipping of acoustic guitar.

Translations

References

Further reading

• “acoustic”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “acoustic”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.