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Earsplitting: meaning, definitions and examples

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earsplitting

 

[ ˈi(ə)rˌsplɪtɪŋ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

extremely loud

Earsplitting is an adjective used to describe a sound that is so loud it causes discomfort or pain in the ears. This type of sound can be overwhelming, often associated with noises such as explosions, loud music, or heavy machinery. The term emphasizes the intensity of the auditory experience, suggesting that the noise is not just loud but can also lead to a sensation of ringing or pressure in the ears. Earsplitting sounds can cause temporary or even permanent hearing damage if exposure is prolonged.

Synonyms

blaring, deafening, thundering

Examples of usage

  • The earsplitting roar of the jet engine echoed through the hangar.
  • She covered her ears against the earsplitting noise of the fireworks.
  • The band's music became earsplitting during the climax of the performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "earsplitting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ensurdecedor

🇮🇳 कानफाड़ने वाला

🇩🇪 ohrenbetäubend

🇮🇩 memekakkan telinga

🇺🇦 глухота

🇵🇱 ogłuszający

🇯🇵 耳をつんざくような

🇫🇷 assourdissant

🇪🇸 ensordecedor

🇹🇷 kulak yırtan

🇰🇷 귀를 찢는

🇸🇦 مُفَجِّر للأذُن

🇨🇿 ušima drásající

🇸🇰 ušiam drásajúci

🇨🇳 刺耳的

🇸🇮 ušesu draskajoč

🇮🇸 eyrnatakandi

🇰🇿 құлақ жарған

🇬🇪 ყურის საწარმო

🇦🇿 qulağı cırıldadan

🇲🇽 ensordecedor

Etymology

The term 'earsplitting' is a compound word formed from 'ear' and 'split'. The word 'ear' has Old English origins, coming from 'ēare', and refers to the organ of hearing. The word 'split' comes from Old English 'spliht', which means to break or divide. The combination of these two words in the context of 'earsplitting' is believed to have emerged in the late 19th to early 20th centuries as a way to describe particularly loud sounds that are startling or painful to human hearing. Earsplitting indicates not just a volume level but evokes a visceral reaction to the sound, highlighting the impact loud sounds have on our sensory experience.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,673, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.