ear

The word “ear” means the organ used for hearing, including the visible outer part and the internal structures that detect sound. In plain terms, the organ we hear with — or, more loosely, a talent for sound, someone's attention, or the head of a grain plant.

“Ear” is pronounced EER (/ˈɪɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “ear” used in a sentence: “She had an infection in her left ear.”

Words with a similar meaning to “ear” include earball, King Lear, listener, lug and shell-like.

“Ear” is a noun.

“Ear” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Ear” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the organ used for hearing, including the visible outer part and the internal structures that detect sound.

The ear has three main parts. The outer ear is the visible flap and the canal that gathers sound. The middle ear holds tiny bones that pass vibrations inward. The inner ear contains the cochlea, which turns those vibrations into signals for the brain, plus structures that aid balance.

Beyond hearing, the inner ear contains the vestibular system — fluid-filled canals that sense the position and movement of your head. As you move, the fluid shifts and signals the brain, helping you stay upright and steady. Problems here can cause dizziness or a loss of balance.

Ears pop when the air pressure inside the middle ear adjusts to match the pressure outside, often during flights, driving up hills, or diving. A small tube connecting the ear to the throat opens to balance the pressure, and that sudden equalising is felt as a pop.

Yes. Very loud sounds, or long exposure to moderately loud noise, can harm the delicate structures of the inner ear and cause lasting hearing loss. Damage can build up gradually and is often permanent, which is why hearing protection matters in noisy places or at loud events.