earache
B1Neutral to Informal (medical when used clinically)
Definition
Meaning
A pain inside the ear.
A persistent, often dull or sharp pain originating from within the ear, typically caused by infection, blockage, or pressure changes. Metaphorically, it can refer to a source of persistent annoyance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun referring to the condition/sensation of pain. It is a countable noun (an earache, earaches). Often used with verbs like 'have', 'get', or 'suffer from'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical. No specific lexical or grammatical variations.
Connotations
Identical; denotes physical pain. In informal figurative use, it suggests an irritating person or noise.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] have/get/suffer from (an) earache[Subject] be complaining of (an) earacheVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Informal/Figurative] He's a real earache (an annoying person).”
- “That noise is giving me an earache.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in workplace absence contexts: 'She's off with an earache.'
Academic
Used in medical/biology contexts describing symptoms.
Everyday
Very common for describing the symptom, especially concerning children.
Technical
The technical term 'otalgia' is preferred in clinical settings.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby is crying because she has an earache.
- I can't go swimming; I have earache.
- Flying with a cold often gives me a terrible earache.
- You should see a doctor if the earache lasts more than a day.
- The persistent earache turned out to be a symptom of a deeper sinus infection.
- After diving, he suffered from acute earache due to pressure imbalance.
- The lecturer's monotonous drone was a figurative earache that had half the audience nodding off.
- Otitis media is frequently diagnosed in children presenting with fever and severe earache.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an Ache in your EAR = EAR-ACHE.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAIN IS AN UNWANTED OBJECT/LOCATION (I have an earache). ANNOYANCE IS PHYSICAL PAIN (That whining is a real earache).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from structures like '*pain of ear'. Use 'earache' or 'ear pain'.
- Remember it's countable: 'у меня болит ухо' translates to 'I have an earache' or 'I have earache' (both correct).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective (*'I am earache'). Correct: 'I have an earache.'
- Misspelling as two words: 'ear ache' is less common; the closed compound 'earache' is standard.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'earache' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. 'I have earache' (uncountable, common in UK English) and 'I have an earache' (countable, common in US English) are both correct.
'Earache' is the common, general term. 'Ear pain' is slightly more formal and descriptive. 'Otalgia' is the technical medical term.
Typically, no. 'Earache' specifically refers to pain originating *inside* the ear canal or middle ear. Pain on the outer ear is usually called 'ear pain' or described more specifically (e.g., 'my earlobe hurts').
Yes, though less common. It's used when referring to multiple instances or types of ear pain. E.g., 'As a child, he suffered from frequent earaches.'