hear

[ heer ]

verb (used with object)

, heard [hurd], hear·ing.

1. to perceive by the ear:

   Didn't you hear the doorbell?

   Synonyms: attend

2. to learn by the ear or by being told; be informed of:

   to hear news.

   Synonyms: attend

3. to listen to; give or pay attention to:

   They refused to hear our side of the argument.

4. to be among the audience at or of (something):

   to hear a recital.

   Synonyms: attend

5. to give a formal, official, or judicial hearing to (something); consider officially, as a judge, sovereign, teacher, or assembly:

   to hear a case.

6. to take or listen to the evidence or testimony of (someone):

   to hear the defendant.

7. to listen to with favor, assent, or compliance.

   Synonyms: heed, regard

   Antonyms: disregard

8. (of a computer) to perceive by speech recognition.

verb (used without object)

, heard [hurd], hear·ing.

1. to be capable of perceiving sound by the ear; have the faculty of perceiving sound vibrations.
2. to receive information by the ear or otherwise:

   to hear from a friend.

3. to listen with favor, assent, or compliance (often followed by of ):

   I will not hear of your going.

4. (of a computer) to be capable of perceiving by speech recognition.
5. (used as an interjection in the phrase Hear! Hear! to express approval, as of a speech.)

hear

/ hɪə /

verb

1. tr to perceive (a sound) with the sense of hearing
2. tr; may take a clause as object to listen to

   did you hear what I said?

3. whenintr, sometimes foll by of or about; when tr, may take a clause as object to be informed (of); receive information (about)

   have you heard?

   to hear of his success

4. law to give a hearing to (a case)
5. whenintr, usually foll by of and used with a negative to listen (to) with favour, assent, etc

   she wouldn't hear of it

6. intrfoll byfrom to receive a letter, news, etc (from)
7. hear! hear!
   an exclamation used to show approval of something said
8. hear tell dialect.
   to be told (about); learn (of)

Derived Forms

• ˈhearable, adjective
• ˈhearer, noun

Other Words From

• hear·a·ble adjective
• hear·er noun
• out·hear verb (used with object) outheard outhearing
• re·hear verb reheard rehearing
• un·hear·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hear¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English heren, Old English hēran, hīeran; cognate with Dutch horen, German hören, Old Norse heyra, Gothic hausjan; perhaps akin to Greek akoúein ( acoustic )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hear¹

Old English hieran; related to Old Norse heyra, Gothic hausjan, Old High German hōren, Greek akouein

Idioms and Phrases

• another county heard from
• hard of hearing
• never hear the end of
• not have it (hear of it)
• unheard of

Synonym Study

Hear, listen apply to the perception of sound. To hear is to have such perception by means of the auditory sense: to hear distant bells. To listen is to give attention in order to hear and understand the meaning of a sound or sounds: to listen to what is being said; to listen for a well-known footstep.

Example Sentences

Gaetz now faces the prospect of Senate hearings as part of his confirmation process.

From Salon

It is possible that the Republican-led Senate holds confirmation hearings and decides, at the end, to defy their president and reject his pick to take on the “Deep State” and his many “enemies from within.”

From Salon

The hearing was told that Ms Robinson had contacted him outside her work hours without clinical justification, breaching professional boundaries.

From BBC

His trial is set to be heard at the Old Bailey and a preliminary hearing is listed to take place on 14 March 2025.

From BBC

Ms Roberts said bruises and lumps had been caused by Charlie falling out of bed and told "lies" about taking him to hospital when she had not, the court heard.

From BBC

Related Words

• determine
• discover
• find out
• gather
• learn
• pick up
• receive
• see
• understand