earbud

IPA/ˈɪəbʌd/
IPA/ˈɪrbʌd/

earbud — noun

  • earbudsingular
  • earbudsplural

1. a tiny speaker that fits inside your ear, sold in pairs, for private listening t

1.nounB1
Definition

a tiny speaker that fits inside your ear, sold in pairs, for private listening to music or calls from a phone or computer

Example

Amina pulled one earbud out so she could hear the station announcement.

pull out an earbud — removing one side temporarily

Jun lost his left earbud on the bus and had to buy a new pair.

lose + earbud — common collocation

Common collocations
  • wireless earbuds
  • noise-cancelling earbuds
  • Bluetooth earbuds
  • a pair of earbuds
  • put in / take out earbuds
  • lose an earbud
  • left earbud / right earbud
Synonyms
  • earphone

    a broader term that can include both in-ear and older on-ear listening devices

  • in-ear monitor

    a technical term for high-quality earbuds used by musicians and audio professionals

  • headphone

    usually refers to larger padded speakers worn over the ears with a connecting band, though used loosely for earbuds in casual speech

Antonyms
  • earplug

    blocks sound from entering the ear rather than producing it

  • loudspeaker

    projects sound outward for everyone nearby to hear, the opposite of private listening

Usage Note

Almost always used in the plural (earbuds), since the device is sold and worn as a pair.

Common Mistakes

I wear earbuds when I sleep to block the noise.
I wear earplugs when I sleep to block the noise.
earbuds play sound; earplugs block sound.
I bought a new earbud at the shop.' (when you mean a pair)
I bought new earbuds at the shop.
earbuds almost always appear in the plural because they come as a set of two.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Earbud is the everyday term for small speakers worn inside the ear, now usually wireless and paired with a phone. Earphone is a broader, slightly older word that covers both in-ear and on-ear devices, including the wired single earpiece that came with early mobile phones. Headphone nearly always describes larger padded speakers connected by a band over the head, though casual speakers sometimes use it loosely for earbuds. In-ear monitor (IEM) is the professional term for high-fidelity earbuds that seal the ear canal, used by performers on stage. In daily speech, choose earbud for the small portable ones most people carry, and headphone for the over-ear kind.

earphone ↗headphone ↗in-ear monitor

Common collocations

Nouns

  • pair of earbuds
  • wireless earbuds
  • Bluetooth earbuds
  • noise-cancelling earbuds

Phrases

  • put in earbuds
  • take out earbuds
  • pop in earbuds
  • a set of earbuds

Prepositions

Etymology

English

Formed from ear and bud (suggesting something small and compact, like a flower bud). The word appeared in the late 20th century as portable cassette and CD players became popular, replacing bulkier over-ear headphones for everyday use.