earful

[ eer-foo l ]

/ ˈɪərˌfʊl /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

eardrops, eardrum, eared, eared seal, earflap, earful, earhart, earhart, amelia, earing, earl, earl grey

Origin of earful

First recorded in 1915–20; ear¹ + -ful

Usage note

See -ful.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for earful

Best not to ask GOP fundraising legend Georgette Mosbacher about the state of her beloved party unless you want an earful.
Mosbacher: I’m Furious at My Own Party|Michelle Cottle|January 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Now that he is back we may get an earful from the Egyptian doctor as he catches up on the world since the new year.
Osama's Top Gun Is Back|Bruce Riedel|May 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Maybe Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, or even President Obama, want to give you an earful.
The Guy Who's Really to Blame?|Allan Dodds Frank|March 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Then well get the Inca to put on the headphone and give him an earful from the battlement.
The Radio Boys' Search for the Inca's Treasure|Gerald Breckenridge

I can give Mr. Silverton an earful about that workman of his!
Dan Carter Cub Scout|Mildred A. Wirt
Dat peter-boy we meets at Quincy slips me an earful about him.
The Mucker|Edgar Rice Burroughs
I sure was gettin' an earful of this golf stuff, but I was still awake.
Torchy As A Pa|Sewell Ford
With the help of Vee's set of books and a little promptin' from her I gives him an earful.
Torchy and Vee|Sewell Ford

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