Words / B1

HEDF-ohn/ˈhedfəʊn/

A headphone is a speaker you wear on the ear. Everyday English almost always uses the plural headphones (already in the dictionary at A1 as a pair). Earphones go in the ear. Exam halls: a single headphone in one ear is still banned.

Meaning

A speaker worn on the ear; usually used in the plural headphones.

Examples

• “A single headphone in one ear is still banned in the exam hall.”
• “A headphone socket on the language lab desk is not a phone charger.”

Good to know

Usually plural: headphones / a pair of headphones. Contrast: earphones. Exams / listening papers. Countable devices. Mix-up: a headband is for hair.

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