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.
In a press conference on Wednesday, May 14, Lanez's legal team claimed to have a new witness — a bodyguard for one of Megan's friends — who allegedly overheard the friend say that Lanez didn’t shoot the three-time Grammy winner. Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 20 May 2025 The young boy overheard his mother and shaman Madame Gwigokja talking about a talisman that marked Jae-yi for death. Kayti Burt, Time, 16 May 2025 Eventually, the comments about Heather were overheard by social workers, prompting the police to get involved. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 The media scrum was so intense that consular officials could be overheard threatening to cancel the briefing if journalists didn’t calm down. Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 15 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhear. Accessed 28 May. 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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