French word

oreillette

Pronunciation

IPA/oʁɛjɛt/

Meaning

  • feminine nounearpiece

Example

Il a une oreillette dans l'oreille.

He has an earpiece in his ear.

Illustration for oreillette (earpiece)

More examples

Je porte une oreillette pour écouter de la musique.

I wear an earpiece to listen to music.

Core concept

A small one-ear receiver that keeps sound close to the listener while leaving the other ear free.

Common phrases

  • mettre une oreillette

    put on an earpiece

  • porter une oreillette

    wear an earpiece

  • brancher une oreillette

    plug in an earpiece

Similar words

écouteur: A small earpiece placed against the ear for listening to audio.
casque: A larger head-worn device for listening with both ears.
micro-casque: A headset with a microphone for calls or online meetings.
kit mains-libres: A device or set for hands-free calls in a car or with a mobile phone.

Definition in French

Appareil audio de petite taille se portant dans ou sur une oreille, destiné surtout aux appels ou à l'écoute discrète.

Word origin

Oreillette is derived from oreille with the French diminutive suffix -ette; oreille ultimately comes from Latin auricula.

Usage tips

  • In everyday French, oreillette often suggests a call or hands-free earpiece, whereas écouteurs usually refers to earphones for music.

Other meanings

  • earphonenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word