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hi-fi

hi-fi

1 3.9
Equipment that produces music with very clear, accurate sound
  • noun
  • /haɪ faɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sistema de alta fidelidad
  • He bought a new hi-fi system to enjoy his favorite music with astonishing clarity.
  • hi-fi system
  • hi-fi stereo

Examples

  • I got a hi-fi VHS VCR, a CD, and MTV.

  • Okay, it's hi-fi stereo equipment at discount prices.

  • This guy is an expert in car hi-fi audio, everything that has to do with sound.

  • What does it take to turn the PC into a hi-fi audio platform?

  • L'll buy you the best hi-fi set that you ever saw and all the new records.

  • I might save up for one of those hi-fi stereo players like Peggy has.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • That's more my speed and so far this hi-fi DAC, it's a nice improvement.

  • Are there power noise filters for PC hi-fi, the cheapest shortcut to great audio?

  • Hank takes an MGM 78 out of a drawer and puts it on the Hi-Fi.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The black Japanese TV atop the worn-out hi-fi—new and old—did not look good together.

    Fiction book (1997)

Synonyms

sound system
vshi-fi
30 3.5

A set of electronic devices that records, makes louder, or plays sound

emphasizes very accurate high-quality sound rather than general equipment use
high fidelity sound system
vshi-fi
  • Specialized
3.8

An audio system that plays sound very clearly with little distortion

focuses on equipment or technology rather than the whole audio system

How Faithful

hi-fi
  • Specialized
1 3.9
high fidelity sound system
  • Specialized
3.8

Surface Forms

hi-fi singular
hi-fis plural
high-fidelity singular

Morphology

hi-fi = high + fidelity (semi-transparent) = hi + fi

Derived from 'high fidelity' via clipping; audio specialists will find it transparent but general learners may not know 'fidelity' or the clipped form 'fi'.

Etymology

Hi-fi for a music system comes from high fidelity, with fidelity meaning 'faithfulness' or 'being true to the original'. So a hi-fi system is equipment that aims to play music very 'true' to the recording.