earth
gb/ˈɚθ/ us/ˈɚθ/
A1
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
The planet we live on
The planet where humans, animals, and plants live.
Usage pattern:
the Earth
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget to use 'the' before 'Earth' when referring to the planet in formal contexts; however, in informal contexts 'Earth' without 'the' is also common.
Synonyms
world (Commonly used interchangeably in everyday speech to mean the planet.)
Antonyms
space (Refers to the area beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the opposite location.)
Collocations
planet Earth
|Earth’s surface
|Earth’s atmosphere
|Earth’s orbit
Themes
science
|geography
|daily life
|space
|nature
Examples
- Earth is about 93 million miles from the Sun.
- Protecting Earth’s environment is a global priority.
- Astronauts can see Earth from space.
- Earth rotates once every 24 hours.
Learner examples
- We live on Earth.
- Earth goes around the Sun.
- The Moon goes around Earth.
- Earth is our home.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Soil or ground surface
The soil or dirt on the ground.
Usage pattern:
[something] on the earth
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'earth' meaning soil with 'Earth' meaning the planet; capitalization helps distinguish them.
Synonyms
soil (More formal and scientific term for the material that plants grow in.)
Antonyms
sky (Opposite location, above rather than below.)
Collocations
dig into the earth
|rich earth
|earth beneath your feet
Themes
nature
|farming
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The farmer turned over the earth with a spade.
- Seeds must be planted in fertile earth.
- He fell heavily to the earth.
Learner examples
- The tree grows in the earth.
- She digs the earth with a shovel.
- I dropped my keys on the earth.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Electrical connection to ground
A wire or connection that sends electricity safely into the ground.
Usage pattern:
[something] connected to earth
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that 'earth' in this sense is British English, while 'ground' is used in American English.
Synonyms
ground (The standard term in American English for this electrical concept.)
Collocations
connect to earth
|earth wire
|earth connection
Themes
technology
|engineering
Examples
- The appliance must be connected to earth to prevent electric shock.
- An earth wire is essential for safety.
- Technicians checked that the system was properly earthed.
Learner examples
- This machine has an earth wire.
- We connect it to earth for safety.
- The green wire is for earth.
Verb
B1
action
4
To connect electrically to ground
To attach a wire so electricity can go into the ground safely.
Usage pattern:
to earth [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse with 'bury' because of similar physical imagery, but here it refers to electrical safety.
Synonyms
ground (American English equivalent for this action.)
Collocations
earth a device
|properly earthed
Themes
technology
|engineering
Examples
- Always earth metal parts of the equipment before use.
- The electrician earthed the washing machine correctly.
- You must earth the circuit to avoid danger.
Learner examples
- We must earth this machine.
- He earthed the computer case.
- They did not earth the light.
Noun
literary
B2
entity
5
Human world vs. heaven/space
The place where people live, not heaven or space.
Synonyms
world (Used similarly but less explicitly contrasting with heaven or space.)
Antonyms
heaven (Spiritual realm considered opposite to Earth in religious contexts.)
Collocations
heaven and earth
|on Earth
Themes
religion
|literature
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He vowed to travel to the ends of the Earth for her.
- Nothing on Earth could make me change my mind.
- They believe life on Earth is temporary compared to eternity in heaven.
Learner examples
- We live on Earth, not in heaven.
- Nothing on Earth is more beautiful than this view.
- People dream of leaving Earth for space.
Grammar
Dictionary form
earth
IPA
GB/ˈɚθ/
US/ˈɚθ/
Syllables & stress
earth (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (earth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: earth
- Plural: earth, earths
Verb
- Base: earth
- 3rd Person Singular: earths
- Present Participle: earthing
- Past: earthed
Word family
Forms
earths
noun
earthing
verb
earthed
verb
Core family
Related words
unearth
verb
earthen
adjective
earthling
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unearthly
adjective
Expressions
down to earth
1/dˈaʊn tə ˈɚθ/
idiom
informal
Practical and realistic attitude
Being practical, sensible, and not pretentious.
Examples
- Despite his fame, he’s very down to earth.
- She gave me some down-to-earth advice about money.
end of the earth
1/ˈɛnd əv ðə ˈɚθ/
idiom
Very distant place/extreme limit of effort
A very far place, or doing as much as possible for someone/something.
Examples
- I’d go to the ends of the earth for my children.
- They searched to the ends of the earth for a cure.
heaven and earth
1/hˈɛvən ˈænd ˈɚθ/
idiom
literary
Everything possible; great extremes
To do everything you can; or referring to the big difference between heaven and our world.
Examples
- She moved heaven and earth to get him released from prison.
- Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
on Earth
1/ˈɔn ˈɚθ/
fixed phrase
Located here or for emphasis
Used to say something is on this planet, or to make a question/statement stronger.
Examples
- Where on Earth have you been?
- No place on Earth compares to this beach.
salt of the earth
1/sˈɔlt əv ðə ˈɚθ/
idiom
literary
Good, honest, reliable person
A very good, honest, and dependable person.
Examples
- My grandmother was truly the salt of the earth—kind and humble.
- He's the salt of the earth, always ready to help others.
salt of the earth
2/sˈɔlt əv ðə ˈɚθ/
idiom
Kind, honest, good person(s)
A person who is very good, honest, and helpful.
Examples
- They’re the salt of the earth — always helping others.
- Farmers are often described as the salt of the earth.