overhear
pronunciation
How to pronounce overhear in British English:
UK [ˌəʊvəˈhɪə(r)]
How to pronounce overhear in American English:
US [ˌoʊvərˈhɪr]
-
- Verb:
- hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
Word Origin
- overhear (v.)
- "to hear what one is not meant to hear," 1540s, from over- + hear. The notion is perhaps "to hear beyond the intended range of the voice." Old English oferhieran also meant "to not listen, to disregard, disobey" (compare overlook for negative force of over; also Middle High German überhaeren, Middle Dutch overhoren in same sense). Related: Overheard; overhearing.
Example
- 1. The agents overhear all kinds of conversations involving national security , domestic policy , political conflicts , and personal struggles .
- 2. And the most bizarre part is , from what I was able to overhear , some of them actually manage to do it .
- 3. Says bus driver paul wroblewski , " passengers have been very keen on the new fuel cell buses . The quietness inside the bus has allowed me to overhear some lively discussions about the new technology and their new found knowledge . "