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

But the real key to the magic is that frenetic tone — the dirty, grungy, previously unheard sludge created when guitarist/Ray’s brother Dave Davies slashed his amp’s speaker with a razor. — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding guests got to bear witness to something truly unheard of. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 6 July 2026

For Best in Show winners to come on to the open market is almost unheard of. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 July 2026

The couple happily sells artworks on payment plans, a practice not unheard of in the gallery business, but generally atypical. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 1 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