earful

ear +‎ -ful

• (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

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:

     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

• give someone an earful

• Laufer, ferula