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View synonyms for

overhear

[ oh-ver-heer ]

verb (used with object)

overheard, overhearing.
  1. to hear (speech or a speaker) without the speaker's intention or knowledge:

    I accidentally overheard what they were saying.



overhear

/ ˌəʊəˈɪə /

verb

  1. tr to hear (a person, remark, etc) without the knowledge of the speaker
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • v·𲹰İ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of overhear1

First recorded in 1540–50; over- + hear
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I regularly overhear other birders marveling over the flashy warblers in breeding plumage, while overlooking other comparatively less-flashy birds like vireos and sparrows.

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Following their arrest in June 2017, the pair were overheard discussing the phone and messaging app, and whether authorities could break in and read their messages in the aftermath of the slaying.

From

In college, I once overheard a friend order a sandwich in the dining hall that would soon become my go-to for months: chicken cutlets, Muenster, pesto and mayonnaise on a hard roll.

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As was overheard during a restroom conversation at an early premier: “Holy s—, I should’ve canceled my trip to Tokyo and been there… but watching it feels like I’m there anyways!”

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At Thursday’s practice, Ryan could be overheard emphasizing the importance of angles in the game.

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