mic

Everyday

1. (informal) Short for microphone: a device that picks up sound so it can be made louder or recorded. tree →
2. (verb, informal) To put a microphone on someone: they mic'd up the speaker. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday and school life, «mic» is used at assemblies, concerts, video calls and games: «Is your mic on?», «You're on mute — turn your mic on». Saying «mic drop» means finishing with a clever line. Phrases: mic check, turn your mic on/off, mic drop, open mic.

Examples

• Can you hear me? Is my mic working? tree →
• The head teacher tapped the mic before speaking. tree →
• Please mute your mic during the video lesson. tree →
• We sang at the open mic night. tree →
• «Mic check, one, two!» tree →
• The singer dropped the mic at the end. tree →
• They mic'd up the footballer for the interview. tree →
• My gaming headset has a mic. tree →

Note

Abbreviation of «microphone»; said «mike» (sometimes spelled «mike»). Informal; in formal writing use «microphone». Plural: mics.