Word
earl
US/ˈɝɫ/
UK/ˈɜːl/
Definition
n. a man who has a high social rank in the British nobility.
n. a member of the British peerage ranking below a marquess and above a viscount. The title is hereditary or granted by the monarch, and the female equivalent is a countess.
Examples
“The Earl lives in a large historic house.”
“The local museum was founded by the third Earl in the late nineteenth century.”
“While the title of Earl is ancient, the modern duties associated with the peerage are largely ceremonial and focused on the preservation of historical estates.”
Examples
simple
“The Earl lives in a large historic house.”
contextual
“The local museum was founded by the third Earl in the late nineteenth century.”
complex
“While the title of Earl is ancient, the modern duties associated with the peerage are largely ceremonial and focused on the preservation of historical estates.”
Usage
The title is used before a surname or a place name, such as 'Earl Grey' or 'the Earl of Oxford'.
Teaching tip
Learners should note that while the male title is 'Earl', the female equivalent is 'Countess', not 'Earless'.
Real-World Examples
“The King’s nephew the Earl of Wessex will attend the Royal Agricultural University after achieving the grades needed for his chosen course, it is understood.” “Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the third Earl of Shaftesbury also thought it was crucial to safeguard concord.” Etymology
From earl (“nobleman”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.