overhear

verb

over·​hear ˌō-vər-ˈhir 

overheard ˌō-vər-ˈhərd  ; overhearing ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ 

transitive verb

: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention

overheard their conversation

intransitive verb

: to overhear something

went someplace where she couldn't overhear

Synonyms of overhear

• hear
• monitor
• spy

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

There are still moments that break me open—watching friends’ moms swoop in to babysit, or overhearing them swap stories about how their moms saved them in those blurry newborn weeks. —Lauren Boswell, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2025

During a hot mic exchange with China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un at a summit in Beijing in September, he was overheard joking about biotechnology and organ transplants. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 21 Nov. 2025

Plenty of places around Arizona are popular among spectators eager to see the Falcon 9 soaring overheard. —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 21 Nov. 2025

While her mother’s song contoured the otherwise untextured day, the little nightingale didn’t dare attempt to try it in any way that might be overheard, for instance, by the owl who spent each day in stubborn repose several trees over. —Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for overhear

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

overhear

verb

over·​hear ˌō-vər-ˈhi(ə)r 

overheard -ˈhərd  ; overhearing -ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ 

: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention