earbud

American

[eer-buhd] / ˈɪərˌbʌd /

noun

a small earphone that fits in the ear.

the best earbuds for your cell phone.

earbud British

/ ˈɪəˌbʌd /

noun

a small earphone worn in the ear for use with audio devices

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of earbud

First recorded in 1980–85; ear ¹ + bud ¹

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.

His previous creations have included a smartwatch and a high-tech face mask launched during the pandemic and tricked out with Bluetooth, LED lights and a magnetic earbud docking system.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Co-produced by Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, the album was made for the earbud era.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

When I called out, they pulled an earbud halfway out and said, “Sorry, I just have to get to class.”

From Slate • Oct. 30, 2025

Use one earbud to listen if you’re worried about keeping a partner awake.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2024

Natalie said, and even through the earbud, Chess could tell she was gritting her teeth.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023