earful

[ eer-fool ]

noun

, plural ear·fuls.

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Robinson slid into the plate as Berra made the tag, but umpire Bill Summers called Robinson safe, Berra immediately turning around to give Summers an earful.

From Los Angeles Times

Republican delegates — and those watching on TV — got an earful about the high price of gasoline and groceries, and a chance to see a conspicuously bandaged Trump arrive to triumphantly claim the GOP nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

When Hulu announced that it would be releasing a docuseries about Black Twitter, the streamer got an immediate earful from … Black Twitter.

From Los Angeles Times

When I asked readers, ahead of the Academy Awards on Sunday, if they were still mad about an Oscar snub, boy, did I get an earful.

From New York Times

Related Words

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