Word
earshot
US/ˈiɹˌʃɑt/
UK/ˈiəʃɒt/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the distance where you can still hear someone speaking in a normal voice. If you are within earshot, you can hear the conversation.
n. the range or distance within which speech remains audible without amplification. Typically occurs in the phrases 'within earshot' and 'out of earshot'.
Examples
“The baby sleeps within earshot of her parents.”
“They lower their voices when the children play within earshot in the next room.”
“He waits until the guard moves out of earshot before sharing the plan with his fellow prisoners.”
Examples
simple
“The baby sleeps within earshot of her parents.”
contextual
“They lower their voices when the children play within earshot in the next room.”
complex
“He waits until the guard moves out of earshot before sharing the plan with his fellow prisoners.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “earshot” in context.
Verb
01. beyond earshot
“The house is well beyond earshot of the highway.”
prep + noun
02. move beyond earshot
“They moved beyond earshot so no one could overhear them.”
verb + prep + noun
03. out of earshot
“He waited until the children were out of earshot.”
prep + prep + noun
04. stay within earshot
“Please stay within earshot while you explore the museum.”
verb + prep + noun
05. within earshot
“She lowered her voice because her boss was within earshot.”
prep + noun
Adjective
06. close earshot
“The kids played in close earshot of their parents.”
adj + noun
07. easy earshot
“Our cabin was in easy earshot of the waterfall.”
adj + noun
08. move out of earshot
“They moved out of earshot to talk about the surprise.”
09. stay within earshot of
“Stay within earshot of the guide during the tour.”
10. wait until out of earshot
“She waited until they were out of earshot before complaining.”
11. within easy earshot of
“The cafe is within easy earshot of the live music stage.”
Usage
Appears almost only in the fixed phrases 'within earshot' and 'out of earshot'.
Etymology
From ear + shot.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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