noun
B1
Intermediate
earache
EER-ayk
Earache (noun) means a pain felt inside or around the ear. Example: “The child woke up crying with an earache in the middle of the night.”
noun
1
A pain felt inside or around the ear.
"The child woke up crying with an earache in the middle of the night."
"Swimming without earplugs sometimes gives her an earache."
"The doctor said the earache was caused by an infection."
2
informal Irritation or annoyance caused by constant noise, nagging or complaining.
"He gave his flatmate an earache about the unwashed dishes for a whole week."
"I got an earache from the neighbours arguing through the thin walls."
How to use earache
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPain in your ear, or, informally, being worn down by someone's constant nagging or noise.
When to use it
The physical-pain sense is neutral and medical, while the nagging sense is informal.
Memory tip
If someone says you're 'giving them an earache', they mean you're annoying them with talk or noise, not causing real ear pain.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
have an earache
give someone an earache
bad earache
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Fill the gap
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The child woke up crying with an _____ in the middle of the night.
Etymology
Earache is a straightforward compound formed from ear and ache, joining the body part directly to the word for pain.
Synonyms
View more →
otalgia
Rhymes for earache
See all rhymes for earache →Frequently asked questions
What causes an earache?
An earache is pain felt in or around the ear, commonly linked to causes such as ear infections.
Is earache the same as an ear infection?
Not exactly. Earache describes the pain itself, while an ear infection is one possible cause of that pain.
What does it mean to give someone an earache informally?
Informally, giving someone an earache means annoying them with persistent noise, nagging or complaining, rather than causing them physical ear pain.
What is the meaning of earache?
"earache" (noun) means a pain felt inside or around the ear.
