ear-piercing
adjective
extremely harsh and irritating to the ear.
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ear-piercing
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ear piercing
ear piercingnounthe making of a hole in the lobe of an ear, using a sterilized needle, so that an earring may be worn fastened in the hole
ear-piercing
American
[eer-peer-sing]
/ ˈɪərˌpɪər sɪŋ /
adjective
ear piercing
British
noun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of ear-piercing
First recorded in 1595–1605
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:
It could also be called a song cycle that employs ear-piercing rock and, for respite, a welcoming string quartet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2024
“Like a deafening, ear-piercing noise, and after a while, you start to tolerate it. And then before you know it, just block it out.”
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 20, 2023
The only construction activity was a truck that dumped loads of crushed rock, making an ear-piercing screech.
From New York Times ● May 31, 2023
Hunter was met with ear-piercing screams as she emerged with nine-year-old niece Isabella holding her hand.
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2023
“Yeah, I didn’t think I’d get it. It’s such a big opportunity. The ear-piercing place at the mall!”
From "The Fourteenth Goldfish" by Jennifer L. Holm
The chain had been particularly popular for its ear piercing services and was a common stop in the early 2000s for tweens and teens during weekend shopping trips across the world.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2025
It’s the second bankruptcy filing in seven years for the chain, which was once the go-to destination for ear piercing and cheap jewelry.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025
Tiffany Smith, the outreach coordinator for the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, said the procedure is about as invasive as getting an ear piercing.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 28, 2020
He has short hair, a subtle ear piercing that looks like a staple, and the healthy tan of someone who works and surfs several months a year in Latin America — which he does.
From Seattle Times ● May 31, 2019
“The Butterfly had an ear piercing that wasn’t on era.”
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
