earth
urth
Earth (name) means the planet we live on, third from the Sun. Example: “Earth is the only known planet with life.”
name
1
The planet we live on, third from the Sun.
"Earth is the only known planet with life."
"The satellite sends images of Earth back every hour."
noun
1
Soil or ground; loose dirt.
"The gardener turned over the earth before planting seeds."
"A layer of dark earth covered the old ruins."
"The children dug their hands into the damp earth to look for worms."
2
The ground or land, as opposed to sky or sea.
"The plane finally touched down on solid earth."
"After weeks at sea, the sailors were glad to feel earth under their feet."
"The apple fell from the branch and dropped to the earth."
3
A connection to the ground in an electrical circuit (British English for "ground").
"Make sure the wire is properly connected to earth before switching it on."
"The plug has three pins, and the longest one connects to earth."
"An electrician checked that the metal casing had a proper earth."
verb
1
To connect something electrically to the ground.
"The appliance must be earthed to prevent electric shock."
"The electrician earthed the metal frame to make the cooker safe."
"You should always earth the cable before you test the equipment."
How to use earth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the planet we live on, or plain dirt/ground, or (in UK electrics) a safety wire to the ground.
UK vs US
British English says "earth" for the electrical safety connection; American English says "ground."
Common pairings
planet Earth
down to earth
earth wire
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Word forms
- Plural
- earths
- Third person singular
- earths
- Past tense
- earthed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ is the only known planet with life.
Etymology
From Old English eorþe, an ancient Germanic word for soil, ground, and the world itself.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for earth
See all rhymes for earth →Frequently asked questions
What does “earth” mean?
The word “earth” means the planet we live on, third from the Sun. In plain terms, either the planet we live on, or plain dirt/ground, or (in UK electrics) a safety wire to the ground.
How do you pronounce “earth”?
“Earth” is pronounced urth (/ɝθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “earth” in a sentence?
Here is “earth” used in a sentence: “Earth is the only known planet with life.”
What part of speech is “earth”?
Depending on how it is used, “earth” can be a name, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “earth” come from?
The word “earth” comes from Old English. From Old English eorþe, an ancient Germanic word for soil, ground, and the world itself.
Is “earth” a common word?
“Earth” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “earth” have?
“Earth” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the planet we live on, third from the Sun.
What is the difference between 'Earth' and 'earth'?
Capitalised, "Earth" is the proper name of our planet, the third from the Sun. Lowercase, "earth" usually means soil or the ground beneath our feet, and in British usage it can mean an electrical connection to the ground. Context tells them apart, but the capital letter signals the planet.
Why is Earth called the Blue Planet?
Earth is nicknamed the Blue Planet because water covers about 71 percent of its surface, and from space the oceans give it a striking blue appearance. This abundance of liquid water, unique among the planets we know, is closely tied to Earth being the only world confirmed to support life.
How old is Earth?
Earth is about 4.54 billion years old, a figure scientists reached mainly by dating the oldest meteorites and rocks through radioactive decay. It formed early in the history of the Solar System from dust and gas orbiting the young Sun. Life appeared within roughly the first billion years afterwards.
Is Earth the only planet with life?
So far, Earth is the only place in the universe known to support life. Its combination of liquid water, a protective atmosphere, a stable climate, and a comfortable distance from the Sun makes it habitable. Scientists actively search for life elsewhere, but as yet no confirmed evidence has been found.
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