Standard Lemma guide

cloth-eared

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌklɒθˈɪəd/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˌklɔθˈɪ(ə)ɹd/
  • rhymes with -ɪə(ɹ)d

1

adj

Meaning 1

Not hearing clearly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, dated, derogatory, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: deaf, hard of hearing

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Failing to pay attention.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, dated, derogatory, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inattentive

Antonyms: attentive

History

Etymology

From the fact that ears made of cloth (for example, belonging to a stuffed toy) cannot hear.