overhear

[ oh-ver-heer ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·heard, o·ver·hear·ing.

1. to hear (speech or a speaker) without the speaker's intention or knowledge:

   I accidentally overheard what they were saying.

overhear

/ ˌəʊvəˈhɪə /

verb

1. tr to hear (a person, remark, etc) without the knowledge of the speaker

Other Words From

• over·hearer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overhear¹

First recorded in 1540–50; over- + hear

Example Sentences

I’m a first-class eavesdropper, and that’s when my chances to overhear juicy morsels are best.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, when Atwater stopped in a local restaurant for dinner, she couldn’t help but overhear some customers using hateful language to attack Haitian migrants.

From Los Angeles Times

He said that he was interviewing attendees about their views on Kamala Harris, but I could overhear him attempting to troll people, asking questions like “How many abortions have you had today?”

From Slate

Sometimes because both my parents and Lucia’s parents have come during shooting to help because we have a new kid, sometimes they’ll overhear something and be like, “That’s funny.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I used to sit and overhear conversations you had with Eleanor about that.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• accept
• admit
• attend
• get
• observe
• take notice
• tune in