# headphones

/ˈhɛdˌfoʊnz/ (US) · /hˈɛdfəʊnz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/headphones
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. audio listening device

noun · CEFR A2

a pair of small speakers you wear over or in your ears to listen to audio privately.

For teachers: an electroacoustic transducer worn on or over the ears to convert electrical signals into audible sound for a single user.

- He put on his headphones so he could listen to his music on the bus.
- The noise-cancelling headphones proved essential for maintaining focus in the open-plan office during the busy afternoon shift.

Usage: Usually plural; treated as a countable noun when used with 'pair of'.

Teaching tip: While 'headphones' and 'earphones' are often used interchangeably, 'headphones' usually implies the larger style with a headband, whereas 'earphones' or 'earbuds' fit inside the ear.

## Examples

- I always wear headphones when I listen to music on the bus.
- She put on her noise-canceling headphones to block out the sound of the airplane engine during the long flight.
- High-fidelity headphones allow audiophiles to perceive subtle nuances in a recording that might be lost when played through standard external speakers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.