earful

English

Etymology

From ear +‎ -ful.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɪə(ɹ)fəl/, /ˈɪə(ɹ)fʊl/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɪɹfəl/, /ˈɪɹfʊl/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪə(ɹ)fʊl, -ɪə(ɹ)fəl

Noun

earful (plural earfuls or earsful)

  1. (informal) an angry reprimand, castigation or telling off
    give someone an earful
    • 6 September 2013, Daniel Taylor, “Danny Welbeck leads England's rout of Moldova but hit by Ukraine ban”, in The Guardian[1]:
      Ivan Kruzliak had already taken an earful from Gary Neville at half-time and it was rare to see Hodgson as annoyed as he was while remonstrating with the fourth official.
  2. (informal) intimate gossip

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