overhear

verb

over·​hear ˌō-vər-ˈhir How to pronounce overhear (audio)
overheard ˌō-vər-ˈhərd How to pronounce overhear (audio) ; overhearing ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ How to pronounce overhear (audio)

transitive verb

: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention

intransitive verb

: to overhear something

Examples of overhear in a Sentence

She overheard what her boss said to his secretary. I overheard a rumor about you. They were overheard discussing the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The complaint was overheard by the 52-year-old Jamar Banks, who was standing nearby on the platform, police sources said. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025 Prosecutors write that an argument can be overheard occurring in the car and the footage shows the car pulling out with the three men inside of it. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024 Working together on the DreamWorks Animation series Dawn of the Croods in 2014, seven of us discovered each other’s love of music via band T-shirts and overheard Spotify choices. Brendan Hay, SPIN, 10 Dec. 2024 The state ferry Hubbard overheard the Coast Guard's urgent marine information broadcast and was the first to reach the scene. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overhear 

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhear was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near overhear

Cite this Entry

“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhear. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

overhear

verb
over·​hear ˌō-vər-ˈhi(ə)r How to pronounce overhear (audio)
overheard -ˈhərd How to pronounce overhear (audio) ; overhearing -ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce overhear (audio)
: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention

More from Merriam-Webster on overhear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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