audio

Where does the word "audio" come from? It comes from Latin audire, and was adopted directly into English (1930s).

Audio’s story begins in Latin: audire meant “to hear.” 'audio' means 'I hear'; the same root gives 'audience' and 'audition'. It reached English by 1930s as audio. Coined by radio engineers for sound frequencies. Today, audio means sound, especially when recorded or broadcast.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient audire "to hear", 'audio' means 'I hear'; the same root gives 'audience' and 'audition'.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1930s audio "sound", coined by radio engineers for sound frequencies.