noun
Common
earl
url
Earl (noun) means a British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess. Example: “The earl opened the gardens of his country house to visitors every summer.”
noun
1
A British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess.
"The earl opened the gardens of his country house to visitors every summer."
"As the eldest son, he will become the next earl when his father dies."
"The Earl of Warwick inherited the title from his father."
How to use earl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rank of British nobility, between viscount and marquess; the female equivalent title is "countess".
Common pairings
Earl of [place]
the title of earl
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like earl.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- earls
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ opened the gardens of his country house to visitors every summer.
Etymology
From Old English eorl, related to Old Norse jarl — a doublet of the word "jarl" itself.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for earl
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include earl:
