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.
In the prologue, Elphaba overhears a conversation between the Lion, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and Dorothy exchanging transvestigator-leaning hearsay about the witch. James Factora, Them, 25 Nov. 2024 Toni Cranston was at the repair shop and overheard their predicament. Autumn Barnes, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024 This data also discovered that 45% of men and 29% of women overheard political discussions at work, with younger employees (ages 18–34) overhearing these conversations more frequently (40%) than older groups. Topsie Vandenbosch, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 But this week, the Texas bankruptcy judge overhearing the case voiced concerns about the transparency of the auction process and called for a new hearing to discuss those potential issues. Rob Wile, NBC News, 16 Nov. 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 3 Dec. 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
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