hear

verb

UK /hɪə(r)/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	hear
he/she/it	hears
present participle	hearing
past tense	heard
past participle	heard

1
intransitive/transitive never progressiveto realize that someone or something is making a sound
He listened but heard nothing more.
Mary heard the sound of voices.
Shh – I can’t hear.
hear what:
No one could hear what she said.
hear someone/something do something:
He heard the door slam shut.
hear someone/something doing something:
She heard the dog barking outside.
Synonyms and related words
To hear something
make out
hear
overhear
2
intransitive/transitive not usually progressiveto receive information about something
Have you heard? Lucy passed her exam.
hear (that):
I heard he’d got a new job.
hear about:
Did you hear about Jim’s party?
hear of:
We didn’t hear of his death until many years later.
be pleased/sorry etc to hear:
I’m delighted to hear that you’re coming.
hear what/how etc:
I came home as soon as I heard what happened.
hear rumours/the news:
We heard rumours that the school was going to close.
Synonyms and related words
To hear something
make out
hear
overhear
3
transitive to listen to someone who is speaking about a particular thing
We’ll meet again in two weeks, when I’ll hear your suggestions.
hear what:
We’re all eager to hear what he has to say.
hear someone on something:
All members are entitled to be heard on this matter.
Synonyms and related words
To listen
hear out
listen
hear from
1. 3a
  transitive not usually progressiveto listen to something such as a speech, performance, or programme
  I want to hear the news on the radio before I go.
  Do you want to hear this story or not?
  hear someone do something:
  He’s got a great voice – you should hear him sing.
  Synonyms and related words
  To listen
  hear out
  listen
  hear from
4
transitive to notice that someone is affected by a particular feeling from the way that they are speaking
He heard the bitterness in her voice.
Synonyms and related words
To notice or recognize something or someone
notice
recognize
observe
1. 4a
  intransitive/transitive to understand what someone is saying to you
  Look, you’re just not hearing me, are you?
  Synonyms and related words
  To understand something
  understand
  know
  work out
5
intransitive/transitive used for talking about the things that people say
I’m surprised to hear you say that.
I haven’t heard him offering to help (=he has not offered).
You won’t hear me complain (=I won’t complain).
be heard to remark/comment/say etc:
One visitor was heard to remark something about the entrance fee.
Synonyms and related words
Expressions used when repeating your own or someone else ’s words
I hear/I’ve heard
(the) word is that
rumour/word/legend has it that
6
transitive if a court case is heard, it is dealt with by a court or judge
The appeal will be heard by a single judge.
Synonyms and related words
Appearing in court
affirm
allow
all rise
1. 6a
  if a court hears something, that is what is said in court
  The court heard that he had been drinking.
  The jury heard evidence from his employees.
  Synonyms and related words
  Appearing in court
  affirm
  allow
  all rise

phrases

be hearing things

can’t hear yourself think

do you hear (me)?/you hear (me)?

from what I hear/from what I’ve heard

have heard it (all) before

have not heard the last of

have you heard (the one) about?/did you hear about?

Hear! Hear!

I hear/I’ve heard

I hear you

I hear you say/cry

let’s hear it

let’s hear it for

make yourself heard

never hear the end/last of it

not want to hear something

you’ll/she’ll/they’ll etc hear about it

phrasal verbs

hear from

hear of

hear out

hear ​‌‌‌

hear ​‌‌‌

hear

hear