lo-fi
|lo-fi|
🇺🇸
/ˈloʊˌfaɪ/
🇬🇧
/ˈləʊˌfaɪ/
deliberately low or imperfect sound quality
Etymology
'lo-fi' originates from English, specifically the phrase 'low fidelity', where 'low' comes from Old English 'hlāw' meaning 'low' or 'small', and 'fidelity' comes from Latin 'fidelitas' meaning 'faithfulness' (applied to accuracy of reproduction).
'lo-fi' developed as an abbreviated form of 'low fidelity' by analogy with 'hi-fi' (short for 'high fidelity'). 'Low fidelity' emerged in the mid-20th century as the opposite of 'high fidelity' audio; the clipped form 'lo-fi' became common in music scenes from the 1980s–1990s to name an aesthetic and genre.
Initially it referred simply to poor or limited sound reproduction quality; over time it evolved into a positive label for an aesthetic and genre that values warmth, intimacy, and DIY production rather than technical perfection.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genre or style of music and recording characterized by lower sound fidelity, warm/imperfect textures, and often DIY or bedroom production.
She listens to lo-fi when she studies because the mellow beats help her focus.
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Adjective 1
having low sound quality or intentionally produced in a way that preserves imperfections or a DIY aesthetic.
They released a lo-fi demo recorded on a four-track tape recorder.
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Last updated: 2025/09/15 00:40