A wave file, also known as a WAV file, is a type of audio file format that is popularly used for recording and playing back sound. It is characterized by high sound quality and lossless compression, which allows for accurate and faithful reproduction of the original sound source. There are several synonyms for the term wave file, including audio file, sound file, and digital audio file. Other similar terms include AAC file, MP3 file, and FLAC file, which all refer to different audio file formats that are commonly used for different purposes, such as online streaming, music production, and audio playback. Regardless of the format, wave files remain a popular choice for recording and preserving high-quality audio.