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 Derek didn’t actually overhear her and Mickey talking, but played along and coaxed a confession out of his duplicitous, wide-eyed girlfriend. EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024 The topic came up after David told Lewis his streak improved after overhearing another player's lesson. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 Due to a thin wall at a doctor’s office, Geist overhears that Jeff was the letter-sender, and Schaffer says that sets in motion events for episode five. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 Other nearby units from the clan could overhear the rhythm. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2024 Recently, my teenage daughter overheard a conversation between my husband and me about Valentine's Day. Journal Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2024 Hines said the tip came from a student who alerted his father after overhearing the suspect’s attack plan. Payton Marshall, The Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2024 But the Niners celebrated far too early, the overconfidence overheard by the Lions in the halftime locker room, which wasn't separated by much more than some drywall in those days. Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024 Owner Mike Draper told the Des Moines Register last week that the designs were inspired by a quote overheard on a New York subway and emailed to Raygun. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overhear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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

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