overhear
verb
over·hear
ˌō-vər-ˈhir 
overheard
ˌō-vər-ˈhərd
; overhearing
ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ
; overhearing
ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ
: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
: 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
While people were still gathered around the injured woman, another errant golf ball came whirling overheard, nearly missing the group.
—
Evan Rosen, New York Daily News, 14 July 2024
The cause of the disturbance, according to what witnesses overheard, was Mitchell allegedly walking into the women's bathroom.
—David Clarey, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
During lockdowns, children also spent less time overhearing adult interactions that exposed them to new language, like at the grocery store or the library.
—Claire Cain Miller, New York Times, 30 June 2024
We are aligned with Lacy’s point of view, snippets of conversations overheard from a perch in a loft, the study of an earring on the floor that becomes a sacred artifact.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overhear 
Evan Rosen, New York Daily News, 14 July 2024
The cause of the disturbance, according to what witnesses overheard, was Mitchell allegedly walking into the women's bathroom.
—David Clarey, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
During lockdowns, children also spent less time overhearing adult interactions that exposed them to new language, like at the grocery store or the library.
—Claire Cain Miller, New York Times, 30 June 2024
We are aligned with Lacy’s point of view, snippets of conversations overheard from a perch in a loft, the study of an earring on the floor that becomes a sacred artifact.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overhear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overhear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overhear
Cite this Entry
“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhear. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhear
verb
over·hear
ˌō-vər-ˈhi(ə)r
overheard
-ˈhərd
; overhearing
-ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
; overhearing
-ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share