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Definition of earbud

earbud

/ˈɪər.bʌd/
ear · bud
Plural:earbuds
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earbud Lexical Profile

earbud Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A very small headphone that fits directly into the outer ear or ear canal, typically used in pairs for listening to audio from portable electronic devices.

Example

"She put in one earbud to listen to a podcast while keeping the other ear free to hear her surroundings."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for earbud

• Nearby Words

ear
earache
earbashing
earbud
eardrop
eardrops
eardrum

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 20th century as a compound of 'ear' and 'bud', originally popularized as a trademark by Sony in the 1980s before becoming a generic term for compact in-ear headphones.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Earbud. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/earbud
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