unheard

adjective

un·​heard ˌən-ˈhərd 

1

a

: not perceived by the ear

Their cries for help were unheard.

b

: not given attention

The students' concerns went unheard[=were ignored] by the administration.

2

archaic : unheard-of

Examples of unheard in a Sentence

Their cries for help were unheard.

Recent Examples on the Web

While unusual, such incidents are not unheard of in semi-rural areas, where livestock can sometimes find their way onto roads. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

The cooperation allowed prosecutors to do something almost unheard of and put the entire structure of a mafia family on the witness stand, from street associates to leadership. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026

Nolan said their timing is unusual but not unheard of. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026

Made on a relatively light budget of $30 million (that's practically unheard of for a blockbuster these days), the sci-fi flick is set in an alternate 1980s, where an alien spaceship is spotted over Johannesburg, South Africa. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing unheard

• go unheard
• unheard-of
• went unheard

Rhymes for unheard

• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword
• catbird
• catchword
• concurred
• conferred
• cowbird
• cowherd
• crossword
• deferred

Kids Definition

unheard

adjective

un·​heard ˌən-ˈhərd 

1

: not heard by the ear

2

: not given a hearing