adjective
-
made of baked clay
an earthen pot
-
made of earth
Etymology
Origin of earthen
1175–1225; Middle English erthen, Old English eorthen. See earth, -en 2
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.
On the riverbank, local resident Ahmad Saadoun pointed at a temporary earthen bridge that collapsed.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
What survives of this ancient city today includes two long rows of rectangular earthen mounds, each about a meter high.
From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2025
Next to the ruptured dam, another earthen wall is being built in preparation for the resumption of mining operations, according to government officials.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025
It smells like a kitchen — earthen, dry, airy with a hint of spice and pepper.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025
Even Biddy, our hen, and her two sisters were clucking as they dashed back and forth on the earthen floor.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
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.
