ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ear

n. · v.
US //ˈiɹ// UK //ˈiə// ear
  1. 1 body part (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    the part of the head that you use for hearing.

    the organ of hearing in humans and vertebrates, specifically the external part or the entire internal mechanism.

    Example

    She whispered the secret directly into his ear so no one else could hear.

    Example

    The doctor used an otoscope to examine the patient's inner ear for signs of infection or inflammation.
    • auricle
  2. 2 ability to hear or appreciate sound (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    the ability to hear well or to notice and enjoy specific sounds like music.

    the faculty of hearing or the sensitive appreciation of musical tone and rhythm.

    Example

    He has a great ear for music and can play any song after hearing it once.

    Example

    The conductor's exceptional ear allowed him to detect a single slightly flat note among the sixty-piece orchestra.
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  1. 3 attention (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of listening to someone or giving them your attention.

    favourable attention or the opportunity to be heard by someone in power.

    Example

    The diplomat finally gained the king's ear and explained the crisis.

    Example

    Having the CEO's ear gave the young manager a distinct advantage when proposing radical changes to the company's structure.
  2. 4 part of a grain plant (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the top part of a cereal plant, like corn or wheat, that contains the seeds.

    the fruiting spike of a cereal plant, including the kernels and their protective coverings.

    Example

    We bought several ears of fresh corn from the farm stand for the barbecue.

    Example

    The late summer heat caused the ears of wheat to ripen faster than the farmers had originally anticipated.
  3. 5 handle or projection (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    a small handle or part that sticks out from an object, often used for holding it.

    a decorative or functional projection on an object, such as a lug or a handle on a cup.

    Example

    The old soup pot had a small metal ear on each side for lifting.

    Example

    The architect specified that the acroterium should be positioned precisely above the ear of the classical pediment.
  4. 6 informant (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang

    a person who listens secretly and gives information to the police.

    a person who acts as an informant or spy, particularly one who provides information to law enforcement.

    Example

    The gang suspected there was an ear in the room when the police arrived.

    Example

    The detective relied on a network of ears in the underworld to track the movement of stolen goods across the border.
  5. 7 to hear (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Humorous

    to listen to or take in information with your ears.

    to perceive by the ear; used as a playful or non-standard transitive verb for hearing.

    Example

    Did you ear what the teacher just said about the homework?

    Example

    He leaned in close, jokingly asking his friend to ear the latest gossip from the office.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ew- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂ṓws Proto-Germanic *ausô Proto-West Germanic *auʀā Old English ēare Middle English ere English ear From Middle English ere, eare, from Old English ēare (“ear”), from Proto-West Germanic auʀā, from the voiced Verner alternant of Proto-Germanic ausô (“ear”) (compare Scots ere, er, eir, West Frisian ear, Dutch oor, German Ohr, Swedish öra, Danish øre), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ṓws (compare Old Irish áu, Latin auris, Lithuanian ausi̇̀s, Russian у́хо (úxo), Albanian vesh, Ancient Greek οὖς (oûs), and Old Armenian ունկն (unkn).

Etymology 2

From Middle English eere, er, from Old English ēar (Northumbrian dialect æhher), from Proto-West Germanic ahaʀ, from Proto-Germanic ahaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”). See also West Frisian ier, Dutch aar, German Ähre; also Latin acus (“needle; husk”), Tocharian B āk (“ear, awn”), Old Church Slavonic ость (ostĭ, “wheat spike, sharp point”). More at edge.

Etymology 3

From Middle English eren, from Old English erian, from Proto-West Germanic arjan, from Proto-Germanic arjaną, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂erh₃- (“to plough”).

Word family
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