ear-piercingEnglishOxford Dictionary of Englishear-piercing /ˈɪəpɪəsɪŋ / ▸ adjective loud and shrill: the alarm emits an ear-piercing screech. ▸ noun [mass noun] the practice of making holes in the lobes or edges of the ears to allow the wearing of earrings: facials, body massage, ear-piercing—it's all on offer [count noun] extra ear-piercings.