noun
earful
EER-fuhl
Earful (noun) means a sharp scolding or telling-off. Example: “He got an earful from his boss for missing the deadline.”
noun
1
A sharp scolding or telling-off.
"He got an earful from his boss for missing the deadline."
2
A large amount of gossip or news heard all at once.
"She gave me an earful about what happened at the party."
How to use earful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a stern telling-off, or a big dose of gossip poured out to you.
When to use it
Informal.
Common pairings
give someone an earful
get an earful
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Word forms
- Plural
- earfuls, earsful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He got an _____ from his boss for missing the deadline.
Etymology
Formed from ear and -ful.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for earful
See all rhymes for earful →Frequently asked questions
What does “earful” mean?
The word “earful” means a sharp scolding or telling-off. In plain terms, either a stern telling-off, or a big dose of gossip poured out to you.
How do you pronounce “earful”?
“Earful” is pronounced EER-fuhl (/ˈɪɹfəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “earful” in a sentence?
Here is “earful” used in a sentence: “He got an earful from his boss for missing the deadline.”
What part of speech is “earful”?
“Earful” is a noun.
How many meanings does “earful” have?
“Earful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sharp scolding or telling-off.
