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

That Waylon is unfamiliar with Harry Potter is odd, but not unheard of. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026

The grief Sophie’s family has experienced is similar to post-traumatic stress, DeLeon notes, and feeling unheard or betrayed by law enforcement can only compound those emotions. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

The result is a nearly 7% yield that’s more than twice its historical norms and virtually unheard of in the sector. — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

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

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