earl

noun

ˈər(-ə)l 

: a member of the British peerage ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

earldom

ˈər(-ə)l-dəm 

noun

Examples of earl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Burnard and O’Shaughnessy point out that, whereas Britain regularly sent nobles to govern the Caribbean colonies—and dukes and earls to Ireland—the men appointed to administer the thirteen colonies more often lacked titles and were paid less. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

While this is partly because her father is an earl, the other part of her background honors the fact that her mother was a housemaid. — Patricia A. Matthew, Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026

Under the law, the remaining earls, viscounts and dukes who inherited their seats in the chamber along with their aristocratic titles will leave Parliament for good when the current session concludes this spring. — Peter Weber, TheWeek, 12 Mar. 2026

Members of the upper chamber dropped their objections to legislation passed by the House of Commons ousting dozens of dukes, earls and viscounts who inherited their seats in the House of Lords, The Associated Press reported. — Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English erl, from Old English eorl warrior, nobleman; akin to Old Norse jarl warrior, nobleman

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing earl

• earl marshal

Rhymes for earl

• burl
• churl
• girl
• hurl
• merl
• merle
• perle
• swirl
• twirl
• whirl
• whorl
• cowgirl

Kids Definition

earl

noun

ˈərl 

: a member of the British nobility ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

earldom

-dəm 

noun

Etymology

Old English eorl "nobleman"