hi-fi

hi-fi — noun

1. a set of electronic devices — such as a CD player, amplifier, and speakers — tha

1.nounB1
Definition

a set of electronic devices — such as a CD player, amplifier, and speakers — that plays recorded music with very clear and accurate sound

Example

Lara bought a new hi-fi for her bedroom last weekend.

countable noun: a hi-fi

The hi-fi in the living room has speakers that produce very clear sound.

Common collocations
  • a hi-fi system
  • a hi-fi setup
  • turn up / down the hi-fi
  • connect to a/the hi-fi
  • buy a hi-fi
Synonyms
  • stereo system

    more common in everyday speech; hi-fi sounds slightly dated

  • sound system

    broader term that may include PA systems, not just music playback

Common Mistakes

I bought a new hi-fi speaker for my room.
I bought a new hi-fi for my room.
"hi-fi" refers to the whole stereo system, not an individual speaker.

2. a short form of the phrase "high fidelity," referring to the very accurate repro

2.nounB2
Definition

a short form of the phrase "high fidelity," referring to the very accurate reproduction of recorded sound with minimal distortion

Example

This recording was made with true hi-fi, capturing every detail of the performance.

uncountable noun: with true hi-fi

Music lovers often debate what qualifies as genuine hi-fi sound reproduction.

Common collocations
  • true hi-fi
  • genuine hi-fi
  • the history of hi-fi
  • hi-fi sound reproduction
Synonyms

Usage Note

Common only when explaining or defining the term "hi-fi" itself, rather than when referring to a physical stereo system — the equipment sense (sense 1) is far more frequent in everyday use.

Common Mistakes

Hi-fi is short for high fidelity equipment.
Hi-fi is short for high fidelity.
"high fidelity" is the concept of accurate sound reproduction, not a type of equipment.

hi-fi — adjective

Word family

  • high fidelity
    noun phraseB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Hi-fi" (short for high fidelity) and "stereo system" both refer to equipment for playing recorded music, but "stereo system" is the more common term in everyday conversation and emphasises two-channel sound. "Sound system" is broader — it can refer to equipment for both music and speech in settings like concerts or public spaces, not just home music listening. "Audio system" is a more general, technical term that covers any setup for playing sound, including car audio or cinema systems. For example: "Lara bought a new stereo system for her living room" sounds natural, while "Lara bought a new sound system for her living room" might suggest a larger or more powerful setup than a typical home hi-fi.

stereo systemsound systemaudio system

Common collocations

Nouns

  • hi-fi system
  • hi-fi equipment
  • hi-fi speakers
  • hi-fi setup
  • hi-fi sound

Prepositions

  • on a/the hi-fi
  • from a/the hi-fi
  • through a/the hi-fi

Etymology

EnglishAmerican EnglishEnglish

"Hi-fi" is a shortened form of "high fidelity," first used in the 1950s as a marketing term for audio equipment that reproduced sound with very high accuracy. "Fidelity" here means faithfulness — the idea that the sound coming out of the speakers is faithful to the original performance. The term helped distinguish premium equipment from the cheaper, lower-quality radios and record players of the time.