inaudible
adjective C2
Plain meaning
too quiet to be heard
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe too quiet to be heard, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded inaudible, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a inaudible assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a inaudible responseinaudible behavioura inaudible situation
Watch out
Do not use “very inaudible” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
inaudibleness (noun, where natural)inaudiblely (adverb, where natural)