ear-phone
Definition
- Noun:
- A device for listening to audio: "ear-phone" refers to a small speaker device worn on or over the ear, used to receive sound from a radio, telephone, or other audio equipment.
Usage Examples
- (A device worn on the ear for private listening.)
- (A headset component for receiving audio signals.)
Advanced Usage
"ear-phone jack": a socket on a device for connecting ear-phones.
- The ear-phone jack on my phone is broken. (The connector port is damaged.)
"ear-phone wire": the cable that connects ear-phones to an audio source.
- He untangled the ear-phone wire before plugging it in. (The cord was twisted and needed straightening.)
Variants and Related Words
Earphone (n): an alternative spelling of "ear-phone", meaning the same device.
- The earphone volume was too loud for comfortable listening.
Headphone (n): a larger version of ear-phones that covers the entire ear, often connected by a band over the head.
- She prefers headphones over ear-phones for better sound quality.
Synonyms
- Earpiece: a device worn in or over the ear for listening.
- Headset: a combination of ear-phones and a microphone.
Phrasal Verbs
Plug in ear-phones: to connect ear-phones to a device.
- Don't forget to plug in your ear-phones before starting the movie.
Take off ear-phones: to remove ear-phones from the ears.
- He took off his ear-phones when his mother called him for dinner.
Related Idioms
- On the ear-phone: a phrase used to indicate listening through an ear-phone.
- The operator was on the ear-phone, taking orders all morning. (Listening through the device continuously.)