earbud

American  

[eer-buhd] / ˈɪərˌbʌd /

noun

• earbuds
  plural

1. a small earphone that fits in the ear.

   the best earbuds for your cell phone.

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earbud British  

/ ˈɪəˌbʌd /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• earbuds
  plural

Etymology

Origin of earbud

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

earbud earbuds

And props are improvised so that pool noodles are used for jousting and an earbud case serves as an engagement ring.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

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

I hand him one earbud and keep the other.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

A man said something to me and I assumed he needed directions so I took my earbuds out to listen to him.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

Instead, wielding my noise-canceling earbuds, Odysseus-like, I plan to smother this screeching sound to preserve my sanity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

“A lot of people enjoy the music from it. You don’t have to have earbuds in, and you still get the sunglasses.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 27, 2026

Picture this: Rick, a middle-aged daily commuter who enjoys podcasts and occasionally takes calls from his teenager, opts for audio-only smartglasses because he doesn’t like the feel of earbuds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

I then lower my earmuffs and slip my new earbuds in.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari