earful

[eer-fool]

noun

plural

earfuls 

1. an outpouring of oral information or advice, especially when given without solicitation.

2. a sharp verbal rebuke; a scolding.

earful

/ ˈɪəfʊl /

noun

1. something heard or overheard

2. a rebuke or scolding, esp a lengthy or severe one

Spelling Note

See -ful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of earful¹

First recorded in 1915–20; ear ¹ + -ful

Example Sentences

They know their worth, and they will give you an earful, especially if you threaten the people they love.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It's far from the first time since Election Day that Stewart has given the Democrats an earful.

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I was about to get an earful on the book’s background and a postage-paid primer on my own writing life.

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Verse noted that when the Rams played the Eagles in November at SoFi Stadium, Eagles fans in attendance gave him an earful of obscenities that he could make out despite wearing headphones.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Teammates and Minnesota Vikings players got an earful when Verse was mic’d up for an Oct.

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Related Words

• comment 
• fabrication 
• falsehood 
• gossip 
• hearsay 
• hoax 
• innuendo 
• lie 
• news 
• report 
• scandal 
• story 
• suggestion 
• tale 
• whisper 
• word