hear

 
Pronunciation: /hɪə/

verb (past and past participle heard /həːd/)

  • 1 [with object] perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something): behind her she could hear men’s voices [with object and infinitive]: she had never been heard to complain [no object]: he did not hear very well
  • listen or pay attention to: [with clause]: she just doesn’t hear what I’m telling her
  • (hear someone out) listen to all that someone has to say: Joseph gravely heard them out but never offered advice
  • Law listen to and judge (a case or plaintiff): an all-woman jury heard the case
  • listen to and grant (a prayer): our Heavenly Father has heard our prayers
  • 2be told or informed of: have you heard the news? [with clause]: they heard that I had moved [no object]: I was shocked to hear of her death
  • [no object] (have heard of) be aware of; know of the existence of: nobody had ever heard of my college
  • [no object] (hear from) be contacted by (someone), especially by letter or telephone: if you would like to join the committee, we would love to hear from you
  • 3 [no object] (will/would not hear of) will or would not allow or agree to: I won’t hear of such idiocy

Phrases

be hearing things

see thing

be unable to hear oneself think

informal used to complain about very loud noise or music: I hate bars where you can’t hear yourself think

hear! hear!

used to express one’s wholehearted agreement with something said, especially in a speech.

hear say (or tell) of (or that)

be informed of or that: I heard tell that he went out west

Derivatives

hearable

adjective

hearer

noun

Origin:

Old English hīeran, hēran, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hooren and German hören