earache
gb/ˈɛɹət͡ʃ/ us/ˈɛɹət͡ʃ/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
pain in the ear
pain in your ear.
Usage pattern:
have (an) earache; an earache in [ear]
Common mistake:
Often misspelled as two words (*ear ache*). Also, *earache* is a noun; for the verb use *ache* (e.g., “My ear aches”).
Synonyms
ear pain (A more general, descriptive phrase.)
|
otalgia (Medical term; more technical.)
Collocations
a bad earache
|a severe earache
|a painful earache
|a sudden earache
|a persistent earache
|children's earache
|earache symptoms
|earache relief
|earache drops
|treat an earache
Themes
health
|body
|medicine
|daily_life
Examples
- She woke up with a sharp earache and a slight fever.
- If the earache lasts more than a day, call a doctor.
- He got an earache after the flight, probably from the pressure.
Learner examples
- I have an earache.
- My earache is getting worse.
Noun
informal
B2
abstract
2
very unpleasant sound
a sound that hurts to listen to.
Usage pattern:
[sound/music] is (an) earache
Common mistake:
This meaning is figurative and informal; in many situations it’s clearer to say “an unpleasant noise” or “a racket.”
Synonyms
cacophony (More formal; emphasizes harsh mixture of sounds.)
|
racket (Common informal word for loud, annoying noise.)
Antonyms
music to my ears (Something very pleasant to hear.)
Collocations
pure earache
|total earache
|an earache of a noise
Themes
music
|sound
|emotions
|daily_life
Examples
- That screeching feedback is absolute earache.
- The new exhaust makes an earache of a noise on the highway.
- To me, that kind of pop is just earache.
Learner examples
- The noise from the street is earache.
Grammar
Dictionary form
earache
IPA
GB/ˈɛɹət͡ʃ/
US/ˈɛɹət͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
ear - ache (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ear)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: earache
- Plural: earache, earaches
Word family
Expressions
get earache
1/ɡˈɛt ˈɛɹət͡ʃ/
idiom
informal
be nagged or scolded
to be told off or nagged.
Examples
- I’ll get earache if I forget to pick the kids up again.
- He got earache for leaving the kitchen in a mess.
- If the neighbours hear the party, we’ll all get earache.
give [someone] earache
1/ɡˈɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɛɹət͡ʃ/
idiom
informal
nag or scold someone
to talk angrily to someone again and again.
Examples
- Mum gave me earache for coming home late again.
- He’s been giving his staff earache about being five minutes late.
- Don’t give her earache—she’s already apologised.