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.
Courtney Vail, board chair for the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, overheard her comment. Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 31 Jan. 2025 While undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, Flossmoor resident Ann Jackson overheard a patient getting treatment conversing. Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025 Claire overhears Fanny singing a song from the 20th century. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025 So overheard the film critic Pauline Kael after a showing of Blue Velvet. David Lynch, the filmmaker whose singular vision reshaped the boundaries of cinema and seeped into the broader culture, has died at the age of 78. Darryn King, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 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 10 Feb. 2025.

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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