noun
Common
headphones
HEHD-fohnz
Headphones (noun) means a pair of small speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer hears the sound. Example: “She put on her headphones and tuned out the noisy office.”
noun
1
A pair of small speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer hears the sound.
"She put on her headphones and tuned out the noisy office."
"He forgot his headphones, so he had to watch the video without sound."
How to use headphones
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEar-covering speakers for listening privately.
Easily confused with
earbuds
Common pairings
wireless headphones
noise-cancelling headphones
put on headphones
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Word forms
- Singular
- headphone
Fill the gap
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She put on her _____ and tuned out the noisy office.
Etymology
From head plus phones (an informal shortening of telephones), describing speaker units worn on the head.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for headphones
See all rhymes for headphones →Frequently asked questions
What does “headphones” mean?
The word “headphones” means a pair of small speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer hears the sound. In plain terms, ear-covering speakers for listening privately.
How do you pronounce “headphones”?
“Headphones” is pronounced HEHD-fohnz (/ˈhɛdfoʊnz/ in IPA).
How do you use “headphones” in a sentence?
Here is “headphones” used in a sentence: “She put on her headphones and tuned out the noisy office.”
What part of speech is “headphones”?
“Headphones” is a noun.
Is “headphones” a common word?
“Headphones” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between headphones and earbuds?
Headphones is the general term for small speakers worn over or in the ears so that only the wearer hears the sound. Earbuds are specifically the tiny type that rest inside the outer ear or ear canal, while larger over-ear and on-ear models are usually just called headphones.
What is the difference between headphones and a headset?
Headphones are speakers worn over or in the ears for listening to sound. A headset is headphones combined with a microphone, letting the wearer both listen and speak, which is why headsets are used for calls and gaming.
Is "headphones" singular or plural?
Headphones is treated as a plural noun and takes a plural verb, as in "my headphones are broken." Because it refers to a pair of speakers, people say "a pair of headphones" rather than "a headphone" when talking about a single set.
What is the difference between headphones and speakers?
Headphones are small speakers worn over or in the ears so that only the wearer hears the sound, keeping the audio private. Ordinary speakers project sound into the open air so that everyone nearby can hear it.
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