low fidelity

adjective

Having a low bitrate, or being an electronic reproduction of a sound with low accuracy.

“Near-synonyms: no fidelity, no-fi, NoFi”

Similar
no fidelityno-fiNoFi
Opposite
high fidelityhi-fiHiFi
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Meanings

adjectivelow fidelity (comparative more low fidelity, superlative most low fidelity)

comparative more low fidelity · superlative most low fidelity

  1. soundHaving a low bitrate, or being an electronic reproduction of a sound with low accuracy.

    Near-synonyms: no fidelity, no-fi, NoFi

    Synonyms: no fidelity, no-fi, NoFi · Antonyms: high fidelity, hi-fi, HiFi, hifi

  2. entertainmentHaving a rough quality, recorded at home with makeshift tools.

    Near-synonyms: no fidelity, no-fi, NoFi

    Synonyms: no fidelity, no-fi, NoFi · Antonyms: high fidelity, hi-fi, HiFi, hifi

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveHaving a low bitrate, or being an electronic reproduction of a sound with low accuracy.

Similar
no fidelityno-fiNoFi
Opposite
high fidelityhi-fiHiFihifi

adjectiveHaving a rough quality, recorded at home with makeshift tools.

Similar
no fidelityno-fiNoFi
Opposite
high fidelityhi-fiHiFihifi
Also see
no fidelity

Origin

Modeled after, and postdating, high fidelity; formed as the obvious counterpart. It reflects the idea of low lifelikeness, being far from true to life, an unfaithful reproduction (of the original sounds that were recorded).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

low fidelity. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low%20fidelity

MLA

“low fidelity.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low%20fidelity. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “low fidelity,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low%20fidelity.

Source: low fidelity on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.