overhear

[oh-ver-heer]

verb (used with object)

overheard, overhearing 

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

   I accidentally overheard what they were saying.

overhear

/ ˌəʊvəˈhɪə /

verb

1. (tr) to hear (a person, remark, etc) without the knowledge of the speaker

Other Word Forms

• overhearer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overhear¹

First recorded in 1540–50; over- + hear

Example Sentences

In fact, conspirators were overheard on a wiretap saying they “wouldn’t trust Joe” to agree to their scheme.

Read more on Barron's

Titus, who lived with his mother, was overheard asking for a ride to her house because his motorcycle wouldn’t start.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He only learned he was going to Arizona after overhearing a conversation between two guards.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been overheard discussing organ transplants as a means of prolonging life on the sidelines of a military parade in Beijing.

Read more on BBC

He claimed to have overheard the asylum seeker telling them: "Come back to Africa, you would be a good wife."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accept 
• admit 
• attend 
• get 
• observe 
• take notice www.thesaurus.com
• tune in