Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
lo-fi en · ADJ
Etymology
Syllabic abbreviation of low fidelity.
Meanings
(qualifier:sound) Having an old-fashioned quality, as if recorded with primitive equipment.
Having a rough quality, not musically smooth and refined.
cute-sounding lo-fi drum beats
Recorded at home with makeshift tools.
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
more lo-fi
Degree=Cmp
lexicographic
low-fi
alternative
lexicographic
most lo-fi
Degree=Sup
lexicographic
lofi
alternative
lexicographic
lo-fi en · NOUN
Etymology
Syllabic abbreviation of low fidelity.
Meanings
(uncountable) A subgenre of hip-hop that includes traditional jazz elements and drum machine samples.
But I feel like the whole “lo-fi beats” thing has become like Starbucks music. 2026 February 19, Stevie Chick, quoting Flying Lotus, “Musician and film-maker Flying Lotus: ‘The whole lo-fi beats thing has become like Starbucks music’”, in The Guardian, →ISSN, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2026:
(uncountable) A subgenre of rock music characterized by minimal production, giving a raw and unsophisticated sound.