noun C2 Proficient

reverb

REE-vurb

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Reverb (noun) means the effect of a sound bouncing off surfaces so that it lingers and blurs after the source has stopped, either natural in a room or added electronically. Example: “The vocal needs more reverb — it sounds too dry.”

noun

The effect of a sound bouncing off surfaces so that it lingers and blurs after the source has stopped, either natural in a room or added electronically.

"The vocal needs more reverb — it sounds too dry."

"The church had so much reverb that the words were unintelligible."

An audio device or plug-in that produces this effect.

"He runs the snare through an old spring reverb."

verb

less common To echo or resound.

"The bass reverbed through the empty hall."

How to use reverb

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe way a sound hangs in the air after it's made.

When to use it

Everyday in music, recording and live sound; reverberation is the fuller, more formal form used in acoustics and physics.

Memory tip

In studio talk, a sound with no reverb is called dry and one with plenty is called wet.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

echo → delay → reverberation →

Common pairings

add reverb plate reverb spring reverb reverb tail drenched in reverb

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Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “reverb” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The vocal needs more _____ — it sounds too dry.

Etymology

A shortening of reverberation, from Latin reverberare 'to beat back', from re- 'back' plus verberare 'to lash'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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reverberation echo ambience room sound reverberate resound

Antonyms

dry signal

Related words

sound spring ring noise repeat atmosphere bound mood

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between reverb and echo?

An echo is a distinct repeat of a sound that you hear as a separate event, like a shout coming back off a cliff. Reverb is thousands of reflections arriving so close together that they merge into a single smear of decaying sound. In production terms, discrete repeats are delay; the wash is reverb.

What does dry and wet mean with reverb?

Dry is the original signal with no effect on it; wet is the reverb-treated sound. Most reverb units have a dry/wet control that sets how much of each you hear in the final mix.

What is the meaning of reverb?

"reverb" (noun) means the effect of a sound bouncing off surfaces so that it lingers and blurs after the source has stopped, either natural in a room or added electronically.

What is another word for reverb?

Other words for "reverb" include reverberation, echo, ambience, room sound, reverberate, resound.

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