Synonyms

overhear

American

[oh-ver-heer] / ˌoʊ vərˈhɪər /

verb (used with object)

overheard, overhearing

to hear (speech or a speaker) without the speaker's intention or knowledge.

I accidentally overheard what they were saying.

overhear British

/ ˌəʊvəˈhɪə /

verb

(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

Other Word Forms

overhearer noun

Etymology

Origin of overhear

First recorded in 1540–50; over- + hear

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

MIAMI—In recent weeks, family members of a group of Cuban dissidents who overheard their making plans to “liberate Cuba” dismissed the talk as the kind of bravado that is common among Cuban-American exiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Oh, I almost wished I hadn’t overheard them talking!

From Literature

One Iranian man said he overheard his mother and her friend discussing the price of two bundles of spinach—the equivalent of about $28.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’m not sure if he overheard Andre or if this has been our destination all along.

From Literature

He had overheard her telling Strong Jonn so outside their house only a month or two ago.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023