unheard
Americanadjective
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not heard; not perceived by the ear.
-
not given a hearing or audience.
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Archaic. unheard-of.
adjective
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not heard; not perceived by the ear
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not listened to or granted a hearing
his warning went unheard
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archaic unheard-of
Etymology
Origin of unheard
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English unherd. See un- 1, heard ( def. )
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.
Big price drops for the overall housing market are rare, but not unheard of.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
It would appear, in a world where someone can divorce and remarry, switch political allegiance or renounce a religious faith, ending a relationship with a football club is largely unheard of.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
These two movies’ lifecycles overlapping is a rare coincidence, but not entirely unheard of.
From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026
The Chavez family put out a news release that states “we honor the voices of those who feel unheard and who report sexual abuse.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
He often allowed their names to come first in journal articles announcing new Rad Lab discoveries, sometimes even refusing any byline whatsoever—both practices almost unheard of in major scientific laboratories led by an eminent figure.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
