MP3
3 synonyms for MP3, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An audio format that shrinks a music or speech recording by removing sound the ear is least likely to notice, making files small enough to store and share easily.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
audio file
music file
audio format
How to use MP3
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
MP3 player
convert to MP3
download the MP3
320 kbps MP3
Everyday word. Written in capitals with a numeral; "mp3" appears in filenames.
Etymology
Short for MPEG-1 Audio Layer III, from MPEG, an acronym of Moving Picture Experts Group.
Full origin of MP3 →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MP3 and WAV?
A WAV file normally stores audio uncompressed, so it holds the full recording and takes up a lot of space. An MP3 is compressed by discarding parts of the sound, so it is far smaller but has lost some information permanently. WAV is common in recording and editing; MP3 is common for distribution and listening.
What does bitrate mean in an MP3?
Bitrate is how much data is used per second of audio, usually written in kilobits per second, such as 128 kbps or 320 kbps. A higher bitrate keeps more of the original sound and makes a bigger file; a lower one saves space and discards more.
Is MP3 still used?
Yes, widely, though newer formats such as AAC and Opus achieve similar quality in smaller files and are now the default for many streaming services and devices. MP3 remains common because almost every player made in the last twenty-five years can read it.
