all ears

phrase

Synonyms of all earsnext
: eagerly listening
If anybody spoke of that grisly matter, I was all ears … and alert to hear what might be said …—Mark Twain

Examples of all ears in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That isn't stopping Chicago Cubs superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong from being all ears. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all ears was in 1577

Rhymes for all ears

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Browse Nearby Words

all-day sucker
all ears
allectory
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Cite this Entry

“All ears.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all%20ears. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on all ears

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for all ears

Nglish: Translation of all ears for Spanish Speakers

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