adj
Common
sonic
SO-nihk
Sonic (adj) means relating to sound or sound waves. Example: “Bats use sonic signals to find their way in the dark.”
adj
1
Relating to sound or sound waves.
"Bats use sonic signals to find their way in the dark."
"The scientist studied the sonic patterns recorded deep in the ocean."
"The device emits a sonic pulse to measure distance."
2
Moving at roughly the speed of sound.
"The jet reached sonic speed just before the boom."
How to use sonic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with sound, or as fast as sound travels.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sonic boom
sonic wave
sonic speed
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Etymology
From Latin sonus, "sound," plus the adjective ending -ic.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
subsonic
supersonic
Related words
Rhymes for sonic
See all rhymes for sonic →Frequently asked questions
What does “sonic” mean?
The word “sonic” means relating to sound or sound waves. In plain terms, to do with sound, or as fast as sound travels.
How do you pronounce “sonic”?
“Sonic” is pronounced SO-nihk (/ˈsɑnɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “sonic” in a sentence?
Here is “sonic” used in a sentence: “The device emits a sonic pulse to measure distance.”
What part of speech is “sonic”?
“Sonic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sonic” come from?
The word “sonic” comes from Latin. From Latin sonus, "sound," plus the adjective ending -ic.
Is “sonic” a common word?
“Sonic” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sonic” have?
“Sonic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to sound or sound waves.
What is the difference between sonic and supersonic?
Sonic relates to sound or to speeds around the speed of sound, while supersonic describes speeds faster than the speed of sound. A supersonic jet, for example, travels faster than sound can move through the air.
What is the difference between sonic and subsonic?
Sonic refers to sound or to speeds near the speed of sound, whereas subsonic describes speeds slower than the speed of sound. Most ordinary passenger aircraft fly at subsonic speeds.
What is the difference between sonic and acoustic?
Both relate to sound, but sonic is a broad adjective for anything to do with sound or sound waves. Acoustic more often refers to natural, non-electric sound or to the science of sound, so a guitar can be acoustic while a shock wave is sonic.
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