Wi-fi

//ˈwaɪ.faɪ// noun, verb, slang

noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Any of several standards for short-range wireless data transmission (IEEE 802.11). uncountable
  2. 2
    Alternative spelling of Wi-Fi. alt-of, alternative, uncountable
  3. 3
    Wireless networking using one of these standards. uncountable

    "Mimi gave Fifi access to her Wi-Fi."

  4. 4
    The capability to connect to a Wi-Fi network. informal, uncountable

    "The refrigerator cost 1000 more dollars just because it had Wi-Fi, and I'm thinking "this is ridiculous"!"

  5. 5
    A Wi-Fi network. countable
Verb
  1. 1
    To equip with Wi-Fi; to Wi-Fi enable. transitive

    "What type of electronics will be immune from being Wi-Fied?"

  2. 2
    To connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi. transitive

    "The hotel manager even claims he's seen Red Sox problem child Manny Ramirez Wi-Fi-ing in the lobby on his Palm."

Example

More examples

"The neighborhood has been gentrified. Now it's teeming with pretend hipsters slurping skinny lattes at Starbucks. They gather round coffee and free Wi-Fi like bees round a honeypot."

Etymology

Coined in analogy to Hi-Fi as a trade name developed for the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (later Wi-Fi Alliance). Often analyzed as a shortened form of wireless fidelity (similar to how hi-fi is short for high fidelity); this is possibly due to the former slogan of the aforementioned Wi-Fi Alliance, The Standard for Wireless Fidelity.

Related phrases

Wi-Fi warriordo you have Wi-Fiwhat is the Wi-Fi passwordwi-fi array

More for "wi-fi"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.