-
ear-piercing
ear-piercingadjectiveextremely harsh and irritating to the ear.
-
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
Americanadjective
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
But what she was about to say was cut off by an ear-piercing screech from downstairs.
From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd
![]()
Known for its colourful shop fronts and racks of jewellery, bracelets and its ear piercing services, the brand's bright purple branding is a familiar sight for millions of teens during a Saturday shop.
From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026
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
One company tried to get me to accept a free ear piercing if I filmed it live.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 19, 2020
“The Butterfly had an ear piercing that wasn’t on era.”
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
![]()
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.