overhear
[oh-ver-heer]
- to hear (speech or a speaker) without the speaker's intention or knowledge: I accidentally overheard what they were saying.
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Origin of overhear
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for overheard
Contemporary Examples
“All these questions from journalists,” he said, in a voice that was just loud enough to be overheard.
They would speak up, but in tones still soft and placid; and Spahn often overheard them describing him as a “beautiful person.”
A few days later, I overheard someone say a person they knew had "lost the battle" against cancer.
At that point, a sphere lit up, resembling the landing of the UFO in E.T., and the overheard lights descended on the stage.
There was also a report that the soldiers had overheard talk on the radio of an American looking for the Taliban.
Historical Examples
"But you forget where we are," answered the Man of Fancy, who overheard the remark.
A Select Party (From "Mosses From An Old Manse")Nathaniel Hawthorne
And what I overheard in the armoury--about a telegram--telling me--putting me out of my misery?
VivietteWilliam J. Locke
Again he paused, and looked round to see whether he could be overheard.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Evelyn overheard, and blushed as she stole a glance at Maltravers.
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
However it was explained, in tones too soft to be overheard.
The Uncommercial TravellerCharles Dickens
overhear
- (tr) to hear (a person, remark, etc) without the knowledge of the speaker
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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
Word Origin and History for overheard
overhear
v.
"to hear what one is not meant to hear," 1540s, from over- + hear. The notion is perhaps "to hear beyond the intended range of the voice." Old English oferhieran also meant "to not listen, to disregard, disobey" (cf. overlook for negative force of over; also Middle High German überhaeren, Middle Dutch overhoren in same sense). Related: Overheard; overhearing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper