audio guide

Meaning

An 'audio guide' is a recorded spoken commentary, typically accessed via a handheld device or a smartphone app, that provides information about exhibits in a museum, art gallery, or historical site as you walk around. It allows visitors to explore at their own pace without a human tour guide.

Examples

• The museum ticket price includes a free audio guide available in six languages.

  The museum ticket price includes a free audio guide available in six languages.

• I rented an audio guide at the cathedral to learn more about its history.

  I rented an audio guide at the cathedral to learn more about its history.

• Don't forget to return your audio guide to the desk before you leave the exhibition.

  Don't forget to return your audio guide to the desk before you leave the exhibition.

• The audio guide was very engaging and featured actors reading historical letters.

  The audio guide was very engaging and featured actors reading historical letters.

• Is there an app we can download to use our own headphones for the audio guide?

  Is there an app we can download to use our own headphones for the audio guide?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I listened to the voice guide during my visit to the castle.

  ✓ I listened to the audio guide during my visit to the castle.

  While 'voice guide' is understandable, the standard and natural term used globally at tourist sites is 'audio guide'.

• ✗ She rented a hearing guide at the museum entrance.

  ✓ She rented an audio guide at the museum entrance.

  'Hearing guide' is incorrect. 'Hearing' refers to the biological sense or assistance for the deaf. The correct term is 'audio guide'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The museum offers an ________ in ten different languages for international visitors.

  💡 A recorded spoken commentary device.

  Show answer

  audio guide

• I put on my headphones to listen to the ________ at the art gallery.

  💡 The recorded tour you listen to.

  Show answer

  audio guide