earl
6 synonyms for earl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use earl
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Earl of [place]
the title of earl
Etymology
From Old English eorl, related to Old Norse jarl — a doublet of the word "jarl" itself.
Full origin of earl →Frequently asked questions
What does “earl” mean?
The word “earl” means a British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess. In plain terms, a rank of British nobility, between viscount and marquess; the female equivalent title is "countess".
How do you pronounce “earl”?
“Earl” is pronounced url (/ɝl/ in IPA).
How do you use “earl” in a sentence?
Here is “earl” used in a sentence: “The Earl of Warwick inherited the title from his father.”
What part of speech is “earl”?
“Earl” is a noun.
Where does the word “earl” come from?
The word “earl” comes from Old English. From Old English eorl, related to Old Norse jarl — a doublet of the word "jarl" itself.
Is “earl” a common word?
“Earl” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between an earl and a count?
Earl is the British title for a nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess. Count is the equivalent rank in continental European nobility; notably, the wife of an earl is called a countess, since English has no feminine form of earl.
Where does an earl rank in the British nobility?
An earl ranks above a viscount and below a marquess, placing the title in the middle of the traditional ranks of the British peerage. It sits below dukes and marquesses but above viscounts and barons.
What is the wife of an earl called?
The wife of an earl is called a countess. There is no separate feminine title formed from the word earl itself, so the continental term countess is used instead.
