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Glite Dictionary
wireless fidelity

wireless fidelity

3.9
A system that lets devices connect to the internet without wires, often called Wi-Fi
  • noun
  • /ˈwaɪərləs fɪˈdɛlɪti/
translation icon : wifi
  • Short for wireless fidelity, WiFi or Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology based on radio waves.

Examples

  • I connected my laptop to the w无线 fidelity network to browse the internet at home.

  • Many cafes offer free w无线 fidelity for customers who want to work while enjoying their coffee.

  • You can stream movies seamlessly over w无线 fidelity without any interruptions.

Synonyms

WiFi
vswireless fidelity
  • Specialized
31 1.3

A way to connect devices to the internet or a local network without wires

is the formal full name commonly used instead of the shorter form
WLAN
vswireless fidelity
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A wireless network that connects devices in a building or campus

specifies use of high frequency radio for data transmission over short distances
wireless local area network
vswireless fidelity
  • Specialized
4.2

A system that sends data over short distances without wires, like in an office

is the common name focusing on the same system without protocol detail

Surface Forms

wireless fidelity singular
wireless fidelities plural
Wi-Fis plural
Wi-Fi singular

Morphology

wireless + fidelity

Although a learner who knows 'wireless' and 'fidelity' could guess a literal meaning like 'the quality or faithfulness of something wireless,' that does not clearly map onto the technical concept of a wireless local area networking standard (Wi‑Fi). 'Wireless fidelity' is a coined, marketing/technical name whose meaning (a Wi‑Fi network) is not directly derivable from the constituent senses, so learners without prior exposure are unlikely to infer the intended referent.

Etymology

The name wireless fidelity may come from the old music term high fidelity, called 'Hi-Fi', which meant very clear sound. Makers picked a similar-sounding name so wireless fidelity ('Wi-Fi') would sound like a reliable, high-quality wireless connection, and that's why it now means the system for wireless internet.