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

This pre-shift stress often stems from unpredictable scheduling, understaffing, lack of rest, and feeling unheard by management. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

The San Andreas fault northwest of the Cajon Pass usually has big quakes every 100 to 150 years, Scharer said, though intervals of about 200 years are not unheard of. — Rong-Gong Lin Ii Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026

But the chance to see all five in a single night is almost unheard of. — Jenna Adrian-Diaz, Vogue, 30 July 2026

The mechanics of Gaelic football make even one of these a rarity; two was practically unheard of. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing unheard

• go unheard
• unheard-of

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