headphone
headphone
Pronunciation
headphone
/ˈhɛdˌfoʊn/
head-: /hɛd/
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
-phone: /foʊn/
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
/oʊ/ - close-mid back rounded vowel (diphthong)
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: headphone
Plural Noun: headphones
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A pair of small loudspeakers, typically held together by a band placed over the head, designed to be worn over or in the ears to listen to audio privately.
Synonyms: earphones, cans (informal), headset, earpieces
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it refers to a specific object. One might consider terms for public audio output like "speaker" or "loudspeaker" as a conceptual opposite.)
Definition 2: (Figurative) A state of focused concentration or intentional isolation, often facilitated by the use of actual headphones, where one blocks out external distractions to engage with a specific audio experience or task.
Synonyms: immersion, absorption, sonic cocoon, audio bubble
Antonyms: distraction, external awareness, engagement (with surroundings)
Examples of Use
Books:
"She put on her noise-cancelling headphones and lost herself in an audiobook, a familiar escape from the hum of the city." (Fiction novel, The Quiet Corner, March 2023)
"The memoir detailed his early struggles as a DJ, often practicing with a single headphone pressed to his ear, mixing tracks for hours." (Biography, Beats and Bridges, October 2022)
Newspapers:
"Commuters on the morning train are a sea of faces, many hidden behind large over-ear headphones, tuned into podcasts or music." (The Daily Chronicle, "The Sound of the City," May 2025)
"The new airport lounge boasts individual pods equipped with charging stations and complimentary high-fidelity headphones for a more private experience." (Travel section, The Globe Gazette, January 2025)
Online Publications:
"Are wireless headphones truly better than wired ones for audio quality? We dive deep into the debate." (TechRadar.com, "Wired vs. Wireless Headphone Showdown," April 2025)
"Students across the country are increasingly relying on headphones for online learning, creating both opportunities and challenges for focus." (Education Today, "The Headphone Generation," February 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music Streaming (Spotify/Apple Music): Many playlists are curated for "headphone listening," indicating tracks with intricate soundscapes best appreciated with a good pair of headphones. (General platform use, ongoing)
Video Games: "For a truly immersive experience in this open-world game, we recommend using high-quality gaming headphones to pick up on subtle environmental cues." (IGN.com review of "Chronicles of Eldoria," December 2024)
Podcasts: "This episode is best enjoyed with headphones to fully appreciate the binaural sound effects and atmospheric music." (Podcast introduction, The Sonic Storyteller, November 2024)
Film/Television: A character might be shown wearing headphones to signal their detachment from the immediate environment or their focus on a specific task, such as a DJ mixing music or a call center employee. (General cinematic trope, ongoing)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you believe that guy was talking on his phone without headphones in a quiet cafe? So rude!" (Casual conversation overheard in a coffee shop, July 2025)
"My kids are always glued to their screens with their headphones on. I swear they live in their own little world." (Parental complaint, neighborhood gathering, June 2025)
10 Quotes Using Headphone
"With a headphone on, the world shrinks to the size of your thoughts." (Original)
"My favorite way to travel is with good music and a great pair of headphones." (Original)
"He wore his headphones like a shield against the cacophony of the city." (Original)
"The hum of the server room was only tolerable with noise-canceling headphones." (Original)
"Sometimes, all you need is a quiet corner and your favorite headphones." (Original)
"She found solace in the music, the headphone her only companion." (Original)
"A good pair of headphones can transform a mundane commute into a private concert." (Original)
"He adjusted his headphone, signaling his readiness to focus." (Original)
"The studio was silent, save for the click of the mouse and the faint sound from his headphone." (Original)
"Put on your headphones and let the rhythm take over." (Original)
Etymology
The word "headphone" is quite straightforward in its origins, simply combining two existing English words: "head" and "phone."
"Head" refers to the upper part of the human body, where the device is typically worn. Its roots go back to Old English "hēafod" and further to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European words for "head" or "top."
"Phone" comes from the Greek word "phonē," meaning "sound" or "voice." This root is also found in words like "telephone" (distant sound) and "microphone" (small sound).
So, "headphone" literally means something that produces "sound" for the "head."
The first known use of the term "headphone" in the sense we understand it today—a device for listening to audio privately near the ears—emerged in the early 20th century. Before this, similar devices were more often called "telephonic receivers" or "head-receivers," particularly in the context of telephone operators.
Nathaniel Baldwin is often credited with inventing the first truly modern headphones around 1910. He initially made them by hand in his kitchen, and they were first used by the U.S. Navy for radio communication. The term "headphone" then became the common way to refer to these personal audio devices.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Headphone
Headphone hair: The flattened or dishevelled hair that results from wearing headphones for an extended period.
In your headphones: Immersed in your own audio world, often oblivious to external surroundings.
Tune out with headphones: To intentionally ignore or block out surrounding noise or conversations by listening to something with headphones.
Live in your headphones: To spend a lot of time listening to audio, often implying a degree of detachment from the immediate environment.
Headphone zone: A personal space created by wearing headphones, where one is focused on their audio and less accessible to others.
Put on your listening ears (idiom using synonym): A common phrase, especially used with children, meaning to pay close attention to what is being said, similar to how one focuses when wearing headphones for listening.
Plug in and zone out (using headphone concept): To connect headphones and relax or escape by listening to music or other audio.
Lost in the beats (using headphone concept): Deeply engrossed in music, often facilitated by wearing headphones.
Headphone bubble: A metaphorical barrier created by wearing headphones, separating one from external noise and distractions.
A good pair of cans (idiom using synonym): Referring to high-quality headphones.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of headphone from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
