inaudibly

USAGE SUMMARY

"inaudibly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is spoken or made in a way that cannot be heard. Example: She spoke inaudibly, barely making a sound. Alternative expressions include "muffled," "softly," and "quietly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There was almost constant barracking and chanting; stray backbenchers raged inaudibly amid the din, for the television cameras and unknown reasons.

The Economist

In a flash of gold, out in the crush, a troupe of bandsmen in braided Sergeant Pepper uniforms are blowing inaudibly into brass instruments, then lifting trumpets and trombones into the air as they dance the dhammal.Fighting through the crowd, a stream of peasant pilgrims flows into the shrine.

The Economist

Babbage vividly recalls him berating two women in the front row for talking (inaudibly to your correspondent's ears).

The Economist

Presenting a feisty girl on the cusp of her teenage years, Bentall conveys her character astonishingly well, at times plaintively and almost inaudibly high-voiced, at others a tomboy in her spontaneous reactions.

Independent

And so the honour bestowed on Sir Wilson Harris, now 89, has passed almost as invisibly and inaudibly as the fall of a single leaf into a waterfall deep in the jungles that he writes about so peerlessly.

Independent

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet The buttons commonly fell off, clinking inaudibly to a floor or, later, a sidewalk: the classiest litter.

The New Yorker

It's just these boys," he added almost inaudibly.

The New Yorker

A huge obsolete television was tuned to a political debate, the volume turned inaudibly low.

The New Yorker

The back seat, and the whole bus, with its closed-in, comfortably crowded atmosphere of people going home, seemed without any connection at all to the highway howling inaudibly just outside.

The New Yorker

And García very softly, almost inaudibly, berated her or him or me or whoever it was: So you couldn't tolerate fifteen minutes of silence, eh? Couldn't just wait, let time slow down?

The New Yorker

The buttons commonly fell off, clinking inaudibly to a floor or, later, a sidewalk: the classiest litter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inaudibly" to precisely describe situations where a sound is made but not heard, often due to low volume or background noise. This adds nuance compared to simply saying "silently".

Common error

Don't use "inaudibly" when "silently" is more appropriate. "Inaudibly" means something cannot be heard, while "silently" means something makes no sound. A cat walking across the floor could move "silently", but someone speaking too softly might speak "inaudibly".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "inaudibly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the manner in which an action is performed – specifically, that it's done without being heard or with very low sound. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "inaudibly" describes something done or said in a manner that is impossible or very difficult to hear. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It functions to indicate a low or absent sound level, often implying secrecy or an effort to avoid being heard. While generally neutral in register, it appears most frequently in News & Media. Common alternatives include "silently" and "softly". Be mindful to distinguish it from "silently", which implies absence of sound rather than difficulty in hearing. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its context-sensitive application across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely audibly

Highlights the minimal level of audibility, close to being unheard.

silently

Indicates the absence of sound, focusing on the lack of noise rather than the inability to hear.

soundlessly

Focuses on the lack of any sound being produced.

softly

Implies a low volume of sound, suggesting it's made quietly.

in a whisper

Specifies the manner of speaking as a whisper, making it difficult to hear.

faintly

Suggests a weak or indistinct sound, making it hard to perceive.

in a low voice

Describes the quality of the voice as being quiet and subdued.

without a sound

Emphasizes the total absence of any noise or sound.

unheard

Indicates that something was not heard, often due to being too quiet.

mute

Implies silence, often due to a deliberate choice not to speak or make noise.

FAQs

How can I use "inaudibly" in a sentence?

"Inaudibly" is used to describe something done or said in a way that is impossible or very difficult to hear. For example, "He mumbled "inaudibly" under his breath" or "The music played "inaudibly" in the background".

What are some synonyms for "inaudibly"?

Alternatives to "inaudibly" include "softly", "silently", "in a whisper", or "barely audibly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "He spoke inaudibly"?

Yes, "He spoke inaudibly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used sentence. It means that his speech was too quiet to be heard.

What's the difference between "inaudibly" and "unintelligibly"?

"Inaudibly" means something can't be heard, while "unintelligibly" means something can be heard but not understood. Someone might speak "inaudibly" due to low volume, or "unintelligibly" due to poor articulation or complex language.