earful

noun

ear·​ful ˈir-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce earful (audio)
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 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'earful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of earful was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near earful

Cite this Entry

“Earful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earful. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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