earful

[ eer-fool ]
/ ˈɪərˌfʊl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR earful ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ear·fuls.

an outpouring of oral information or advice, especially when given without solicitation.
a sharp verbal rebuke; a scolding.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THESE WORDS FROM BROWN GIRL DREAMING!

Visualize yourself passing this quiz on words from Jacqueline Woodson’s exquisite verse novel “Brown Girl Dreaming,” and then take the quiz to prove you can do it! (Because you can.)
Question 1 of 10
What does “barren” mean?
a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.
Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.
unproductive; unfruitful
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of earful

First recorded in 1915–20; ear1 + -ful

usage note for earful

See -ful.

Words nearby earful

ear drops, eardrum, eared, eared seal, earflap, earful, ear fungus, ear-grabbing, Earhart, Earhart, Amelia, earing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to earful

instruction, word, knowledge, intelligence, advice, material, tip, clue, science, report, message, data, info, information, notice, directive, memo, memorandum, note, letter

Example sentences from the Web for earful

British Dictionary definitions for earful

earful
/ (ˈɪəfʊl) /

noun informal

something heard or overheard
a rebuke or scolding, esp a lengthy or severe one
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012