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.
My wife, overhearing this, couldn't help but laugh at my politeness toward a machine. Bernard Marr, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Both complaints cited overhearing employees at the Kwik Trip at 2530 N. Grandview Blvd. Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 In Wednesday’s Shrinking, Liz sold her share of the food truck to Sean’s dad after overhearing a touching conversation between father and son. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 23 Oct. 2024 Dede and Elsa overhear the fight from the threshold of their bedroom door, which ends at a standstill. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 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 22 Nov. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!