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Ear Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ear

[ษชr ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

hearing

The organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates, especially the external part of this organ.

Synonyms

auditory organ, hearing organ.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ear

Commonly used in everyday language to refer to the body part responsible for hearing. Suitable for both casual and formal conversations.

  • She whispered something in his ear.
  • He pierced his ear yesterday.
auditory organ

More technical and formal, typically used in medical, scientific, or educational contexts.

  • The auditory organ is responsible for detecting sound waves.
  • Damage to the auditory organ can result in hearing loss.
hearing organ

Less common, but can be used in a technical context similar to 'auditory organ'. It emphasizes the function of the ear in the process of hearing.

  • The hearing organ consists of the outer, middle, and inner ear.
  • Proper care of the hearing organ is essential for maintaining good hearing health.

Examples of usage

  • She had a beautiful earring on her left ear.
  • He whispered in her ear, making her shiver.
Context #2 | Noun

listening

The ability to hear sounds; the faculty of perceiving sounds.

Synonyms

auditory perception, sense of hearing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ear

Commonly used in everyday language to refer to the physical organ that detects sounds.

  • She whispered in his ear.
  • My ear hurts.
sense of hearing

Usually used in a general or descriptive context to refer to the ability to hear sounds.

  • Her sense of hearing is remarkably sharp.
  • Losing one's sense of hearing can be very challenging.
auditory perception

Used in formal or scientific contexts to describe the process of hearing and processing sounds.

  • Auditory perception is critical for understanding speech.
  • Researchers are studying how auditory perception works in noisy environments.

Examples of usage

  • His keen ear for music helped him become a successful composer.
  • She has a good ear for picking up foreign languages.
Context #3 | Noun

field

The sense of hearing as a faculty for perceiving music, voices, sounds, etc., and distinguishing between them; keenness of perception.

Synonyms

acoustic sensitivity, musical perception.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ear

This word is commonly used in everyday language to refer to the physical organ responsible for hearing or to describe someone's ability to hear or recognize sound.

  • She put her hand to her ear to hear better
  • He has a good ear for languages
acoustic sensitivity

This phrase is more technical and is often used in scientific or medical contexts to describe the ability to detect sound or changes in sound.

  • The study focused on the acoustic sensitivity of marine mammals
  • Acoustic sensitivity can decline with age

Examples of usage

  • She has a trained ear for detecting even the slightest discrepancies in pitch.
  • The musician's ear for harmony is unmatched.
Context #4 | Verb

attention

To pay attention to; listen to carefully.

Synonyms

listen, pay attention.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ear

Referencing the physical organ responsible for hearing sounds.

  • She whispered something in his ear.
  • My ear started hurting after the flight.
listen

Focusing attention on sounds or speech, often implying active engagement.

  • She likes to listen to classical music while studying.
  • If you want to succeed, you need to listen carefully to the instructions.
pay attention

Being alert and focused on someone or something, which may or may not involve listening.

  • Please pay attention to the road when driving.
  • The teacher asked the students to pay attention during the lecture.

Examples of usage

  • I'm all ears, go ahead and tell me your story.
  • She earnt her success by carefully listening to her customers' needs.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Anatomy

  • Human ears have three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, each playing a key role in hearing.
  • The cochlea, located in the inner ear, resembles a tiny snail and is where sound vibrations are turned into signals for the brain.
  • Ears also help us maintain balance through the vestibular system located in the inner ear.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, ears are seen as symbols of wisdom; people say that wise individuals 'listen more than they speak.'
  • In some traditions, such as those in China, ear massage is believed to promote health and relieve stress.
  • In art, ears have often been depicted, symbolizing attentiveness and the act of listening.

Language and Expressions

  • Phrases like 'turn a deaf ear' refer to ignoring someone or something intentionally.
  • The expression 'ear to the ground' means to be aware of what is happening around you, particularly news or gossip.
  • Idioms related to ears often emphasize the importance of listening and being attentive to others.

Science

  • Sound travels through air at about 343 meters per second and enters your ear as vibrations.
  • Animals have different ear structures; for example, cats can rotate their ears almost 180 degrees to better locate sounds.
  • The brain can process sounds within 13 milliseconds, allowing us to quickly respond to what we hear.

Music and Sound

  • The ability to distinguish different pitches and tones is called pitch perception, which is crucial in music appreciation.
  • Musicians often train their ears to recognize intervals, chords, and tunes, leading to enhanced musicality.
  • Certain sounds, like those from nature, can have calming effects and are used in sound therapy to reduce stress.

Origin of 'ear'

The word 'ear' can be traced back to the Old English word 'ฤ“are', which is related to the Old Norse 'eyra' and the German 'ohr'. In Indo-European languages, the word is thought to be derived from the base 'aus-' meaning 'to perceive'. Throughout history, the ear has been symbolized as a gateway to understanding and communication, playing a crucial role in human interaction and survival.

See also: earbob, earful, earmark, earmarking, earring, earringing, earworm.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,590, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.