earful

noun

ear·​ful ˈir-ˌfu̇l 

1

: an outpouring of news or gossip

2

: an outpouring of anger, abuse, or complaint

Example Sentences

I got an earful about what a bad job I had done.

He gave me an earful.

Recent Examples on the Web

In New York City, where more than seventy thousand people are unhoused, locals know that the place to get an earful of very loud opera along with your Big Gulp is a 7-Eleven near the Port Authority Bus Terminal. —Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2023

State lawmakers whose districts include the campus − Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, and Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green − got an earful from community members about the importance of UW-Richland at a listening session earlier this week. —Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2023

The Mountaineers’ Erik Stevenson scored nine points in the first half but earned a seat on the bench for much of the second half and got an earful from coach Bob Huggins for defensive lapses and four turnovers. —Dallas News, 18 Jan. 2023

Two days into preseason practice, San Diego State offensive line coach Mike Goff was giving the linemen an earful. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022

Regardless of his depth of feeling in his return to Boston Monday, Cassidy still got an earful from Bruins' fans. —Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Dec. 2022

Not surprisingly, Matt Wayne had an earful of complaints and concerns — from the payroll fiasco and peeling paint to a lack of custodians, mental health services and permanent teachers as well as questions about school safety. —Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Oct. 2022

Straw getting an earful of the Bronx cheer needs no explanation. —Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 19 Oct. 2022

This elegantly shambolic, tin-sided corner bar is the spot to get an earful of Natchez’s best up-and-coming musicians. —Jim Beaugez, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1