earring
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of earring
before 1000; Middle English erering, Old English ēarhring. See ear 1, ring 1
Explanation
An earring is jewelry you wear on your ear. Your favorite earrings might be tiny white pearls, or they might be long feathers that dangle to your shoulders. An earring is any kind of ring, stud, hoop, or dangling decoration that you clip on your earlobe or hook through a hole pierced in your ear. Many people wear two matching earrings, one in each lobe, although others have just one pierced ear and wear a single earring — and some have multiple piercings in which they can wear a variety of earrings. In the 18th century, an earring that dangled was called an ear-drop.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She still wears a bracelet and an earring.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026
Earlier this month West Ham's Estelle Cascarino was stopped from coming on as a substitute against Chelsea in the Women's Super League because she was wearing an earring.
From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026
The small canvas shows a young woman set on a dark background, her head turned towards the viewer and a pearl earring glinting from beneath her blue and cream turban.
From Barron's ● Jan. 8, 2026
She had wavy black hair, a metal stud earring and yellow metal chain bracelet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2025
During most of the movie Mrs. Reilly thought about Ignatius’ rapidly decreasing salary, the payment on the trumpet, the payment on the wrecked building, the earring, and the sign.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Ceuzany's voice ranges from crystalline highs to deep lows, as she performs everything from jazz to slam, commanding the stage with wavy blonde hair and earrings framing her radiant face.
From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026
Biers added that collectors have many uses for the remains, ranging from the ritualistic to some being turned into things like lamps and earrings.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
She accessorized her look with a pair of dangling earrings, a silver watch and a thin band on her wedding finger.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
Sperling, who will now be known as Mrs Phillips, wore a dress designed by Emilia Wickstead, earrings by Pragnell and the Pragnell family tiara, with shoes by Jimmy Choo.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026
She had knelt down on the floor, picking up all the necklaces and earrings that he had scattered about.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
