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.

You can talk to it, let it overhear your day and—in the case of glasses—let it see what you’re seeing in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

One can opt to be a relatively passive observer trying to overhear conversations and uncover the various storylines.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2025

She told the BBC she would overhear Alphonsine helping her with her language skills.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

“I used to sit and overhear conversations you had with Eleanor about that.”

From Seattle Times • May 18, 2024

Now I’m full-on blushing, afraid Kareem, or worse, his mother, will overhear.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

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