audible
audible Lexical Profile
audible Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Able to be heard; loud or clear enough to be perceived by the ear.
"Her voice was barely audible over the roar of the waterfall."
• noun
North American In American football, a substitute offensive or defensive play called aloud at the line of scrimmage to replace the play originally chosen in the huddle, or by extension any last-minute change of plan.
"Seeing the blitz coming, the quarterback called an audible right before the snap."
• verb
North American To change an offensive or defensive play at the line of scrimmage by calling out new instructions before the ball is snapped (in American football).
"The quarterback audibled out of the running play when he noticed eight defenders near the line."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Late Latin audibilis ('that may be heard'), derived from Latin audire ('to hear'). The American football noun and verb senses originated in the 1950s from the quarterback calling out a new play loud enough for teammates to hear at the line of scrimmage.