diff --git a/docs/man/mame.6 b/docs/man/mame.6
index 942661ab3a4..3d83084e4c0 100644
--- a/docs/man/mame.6
+++ b/docs/man/mame.6
@@ -939,8 +939,8 @@ cause higher audio quality but slower emulation speed. The default is
 Use samples if available. The default is ON (\-samples).
 .TP
 .B \-[no]compressor
-Use compressor, it reduces overall volume when sound is overdriven.
-The default is ON (\-compressor).
+Enable audio compressor. It temporarily reduces the overall volume when
+the audio output is overdriven. The default is ON (\-compressor).
 .TP
 .B \-volume, \-vol \fIvalue
 Sets the startup volume. It can later be changed with the user interface
diff --git a/docs/man/mess.6 b/docs/man/mess.6
index 37406a0691e..07293db867f 100644
--- a/docs/man/mess.6
+++ b/docs/man/mess.6
@@ -970,8 +970,8 @@ cause higher audio quality but slower emulation speed. The default is
 Use samples if available. The default is ON (\-samples).
 .TP
 .B \-[no]compressor
-Use compressor, it reduces overall volume when sound is overdriven.
-The default is ON (\-compressor).
+Enable audio compressor. It temporarily reduces the overall volume when
+the audio output is overdriven. The default is ON (\-compressor).
 .TP
 .B \-volume, \-vol \fIvalue
 Sets the startup volume. It can later be changed with the user interface
diff --git a/docs/source/commandline/commandline-all.rst b/docs/source/commandline/commandline-all.rst
index 4dd57c779f2..5c58c9a345b 100644
--- a/docs/source/commandline/commandline-all.rst
+++ b/docs/source/commandline/commandline-all.rst
@@ -2828,7 +2828,8 @@ Core Sound Options
 
 **-[no]compressor**
 
-    Use compressor, it reduces overall volume when sound is overdriven.
+    Enable audio compressor. It temporarily reduces the overall volume when
+    the audio output is overdriven.
 
     The default is ON (**-compressor**).