Pronunciation enPR: ûrl (UK) IPA (key): /ɜːl/ (US) IPA (key): /ɝl/ Noun Singular earl Plural earls (nobility) (countable) An earl is 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.Wikiwand - on Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.Remove ads