What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
earphone
Example
I always carry my earphones with me when I go for a run. [earphones: noun]
Example
She was listening to music on her earphones while studying. [earphones: plural noun]
headphone
Example
He put on his headphones to block out the noise. [headphones: plural noun]
Example
These headphones have great sound quality. [headphones: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Headphones are more commonly used than earphones in everyday language. Headphones are versatile and cover a wide range of contexts, while earphones are less common and are typically associated with personal use during exercise or travel.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between earphone and headphone?
Both earphones and headphones are generally considered informal and casual in tone, although they can be used in formal settings such as language learning or professional audio recording.
