audiovisual: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “audiovisual” mean?
Involving both sound and vision.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Involving both sound and vision; relating to the combined use of sight and hearing.
Pertaining to media, equipment, or materials that use both sound and moving images to present information, instruction, or entertainment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: "audiovisual" is standard in both, though UK English occasionally uses a diaeresis (audiovisual) in very formal typography to indicate separate vowels, but this is rare. Hyphenation (audio-visual) is sometimes seen in both varieties but is declining. No significant meaning difference.
Connotations
In both, it carries a formal, technical, or institutional connotation (education, corporate, archives). The simpler "video" or "multimedia" is more common in casual speech.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in formal educational/archival contexts. In US English, "A/V" (abbreviation) is extremely common in corporate/event planning.
Grammar
How to Use “audiovisual” in a Sentence
used as an adjective before a noun (audiovisual ____)part of a compound noun (____-audiovisual integration)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “audiovisual” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The university invested in new audiovisual technology for its lecture halls.
- Archivists are cataloguing a large collection of audiovisual records.
American English
- Please submit your request for audiovisual equipment at least 48 hours in advance.
- The conference room has state-of-the-art audiovisual hookups.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to equipment for presentations and meetings ("We need to book a room with audiovisual capabilities.").
Academic
Describes teaching aids and archival materials ("The study used audiovisual stimuli to test memory recall.").
Everyday
Rare in casual talk; simpler terms like "video" or "film" are used.
Technical
Precise term in library science, media studies, and event technology for systems integrating sound and image.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “audiovisual”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “audiovisual”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “audiovisual”
- Misspelling as 'audio-visual' (hyphenated form is acceptable but less standard now).
- Using it as a verb (*"They will audiovisual the lecture"). Incorrect.
- Confusing with 'multimedia', which can include text, interactive elements, not just sound+image.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The modern standard is without a hyphen (audiovisual), though 'audio-visual' is an older, still-seen variant. The unhyphenated form is preferred in most style guides.
Yes, but primarily in technical, institutional, or archival contexts (e.g., "The library's audiovisuals are stored in a climate-controlled room"). In everyday language, it's almost always an adjective.
'Audiovisual' specifically denotes the combination of sound (audio) and moving or still images (visual). 'Multimedia' is broader, encompassing audiovisual elements plus text, interactivity, animation, etc.
"A/V" or "AV" is the ubiquitous abbreviation, especially in business, event planning, and technical specifications (e.g., "A/V requirements").
Involving both sound and vision.
Audiovisual is usually formal / technical in register.
Audiovisual: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɔːdiəʊˈvɪʒuəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɔːdioʊˈvɪʒuəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'AUDIO' (sound you hear) + 'VISUAL' (sight you see) = combined sound and sight media.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION IS A MULTI-SENSORY EXPERIENCE (combining channels enhances understanding/impact).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'audiovisual' MOST appropriately used?