Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

earl

/ɝl/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.18 in modern English

Syllables
earl
IPA
/ɝl/
4
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Tanaecia. Other butterflies in this genus are called counts and viscounts.

noun

The title of an earl.

name

A male given name from English from the English noun earl.

American usage

name

A surname originating as an occupation for service in the household of an earl, or from a nickname.

name

A female given name.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English erl, erle, from Old English eorl, from Proto-West Germanic *erl, from Proto-Germanic *erlaz (compare Old Saxon erl, Old Norse jarl), from Proto-Germanic *erōną, *arōną (compare Old Norse jara (“fight, battle”)). Doublet of eorl and jarl. Unrelated to ealdorman (“alderman”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: erl, eorl, *erl, *erlaz, *erōną

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ɝl/
  • British English: /ɜːl/

Usage

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in People.

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Homonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce earl?
The recorded pronunciation is /ɝl/.
What does earl mean?
A British or Irish nobleman next in rank above a viscount and below a marquess; equivalent to a European count. A female using the style is termed a countess.
Where does earl come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce earl

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “earl”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ɝl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “earl”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “earl” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.