overhear

verb

over·​hear ˌō-vər-ˈhir 

overheard ˌō-vər-ˈhərd  ; overhearing ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ 

transitive verb

: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention

intransitive verb

: to overhear something

Synonyms

• eavesdrop (on)
• listen in (on)

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

Follow These 5 Tips To Be A Model Airplane Passenger By Darlin Tillery Life & Trends Reporter 0 A traveler waiting in a busy airport security line was forced to rethink their place in the queue after overhearing a nearby passenger openly discuss her severe illness. —David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025

As for Liz O’Driscoll, having been conned out of £200, someone overheard her story and was able to sort out two tickets at face value for the game against Villa. —James Pearce, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025

Carol remembers overhearing the gut-wrenching phone call between her father and her grandmother. —Anna Turning, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

overhear

verb

over·​hear ˌō-vər-ˈhi(ə)r 

overheard -ˈhərd  ; overhearing -ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ 

: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention