sonic

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈsɒnɪk/ 🇺🇸 /ˈsɑnɪk/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Of, relating to, or involving sound, especially sound waves.; Having a speed equal to or relating to the speed of sound in air (approximately 343 meters per second at sea level).; Of or relating to sound waves having a frequency within the range of human hearing (approximately 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz).; Of or relating to the quality or character of sound, especially in music production.
  2. noun
    A sonic boom; the loud explosive sound caused by the shock wave of an aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound.
  3. adjective
    Using or produced by sound waves, especially in cleaning or medical applications.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Collocations

sonic boomsonic wavesonic speedsonic barriersonic energy

Derivatives

sonicallysupersonicsubsonicultrasonicsonics

Synonyms

acousticauditorysound

Commonly confused

supersonic
EN: 'Supersonic' specifically means faster than the speed of sound, while 'sonic' simply relates to sound in general.
acoustic
EN: 'Acoustic' relates to sound or hearing in a broader sense (often musical or architectural), while 'sonic' is more technical and physics-oriented.

Spelling tips

EN: No common spelling issues. Note the single 'n' and the '-ic' ending.

💬 Examples

  1. The researchers studied the sonic properties of the material.

  2. The aircraft broke the sonic barrier during its test flight.

  3. Sonic frequencies are those that can be detected by the human ear.

  4. The album has a rich sonic texture that rewards careful listening.

  5. Residents near the military base often heard the sonic from supersonic jets.

  6. She used a sonic toothbrush that vibrates at high frequency to remove plaque.