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

Sebastian Messal, an archaeologist at NLD, told Fox News Digital that treasures like this are rare to find in Lower Saxony, but not unheard of. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Three weeks of principal photography is fast, but certainly not unheard of for an independent film. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026

Bills fans have started an online petition to reinstate McDermott as head coach, something that’s virtually unheard of in sports. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026

Taylor reportedly maintained control of around 85 percent of the revenue from her tour—something previously unheard of in the music industry. —Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026

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