earache

noun

ear·​ache ˈir-ˌāk How to pronounce earache (audio)
: an ache or pain in the ear

Examples of earache in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In some cases, students may even attend with an earache, diarrhea or wheezing, according to the health department’s guidelines. Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2024 While children may have a harder time distinguishing a bug in their ear from a general earache, adults should be able to tell right away. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2023 Humans have been using castoreum for more than 2,000 years, mostly to cure ailments like headaches, earaches, toothaches, fevers and gout. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023 Her son, Cowboy, had to live with the knowledge that his father had tried to kill him, with only luck and an earache saving him from dying in the explosion at the Smiths’ house. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for earache 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'earache.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of earache was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near earache

Cite this Entry

“Earache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earache. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

earache

noun
ear·​ache ˈi(ə)r-ˌāk How to pronounce earache (audio)
: an ache or pain in the ear

Medical Definition

earache

noun
ear·​ache ˈi(ə)r-ˌāk How to pronounce earache (audio)
: an ache or pain in the ear

called also otalgia

More from Merriam-Webster on earache

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!