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

Though a stretch of high humidity isn't unheard of and might happen once or twice in an average summer, or not at all in a cool summer, what sets this situation apart is its intensity and how long it's been going on, Deger said. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026

The finished album also reaches much further back, reviving three previously unheard songs Young originally wrote in 1963 alongside newer compositions. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026

Politicians frequently invest their campaign funds and report returns on those investments, but Carbonara’s method is largely unheard of. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

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

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