earring

American  

[eer-ring, -ing] / ˈɪərˌrɪŋ, -ɪŋ /

noun

1. an ornament worn on or hanging from the lobe of the ear.

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earring British  

/ ˈɪəˌrɪŋ /

noun

1. an ornament for the ear, usually clipped onto the lobe or fastened through a hole pierced in the lobe

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• earringed
  adjective

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.

Related Words

• bracelet
• brooch
• costume
• gem
• glass
• gold
• jewel
• knickknack
• necklace
• ornament
• pendant
• silver
• tiara
• treasure
• trinket