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hear

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verb

/hɪə(r)/

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

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

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Usage note

1
[intransitive/transitive] [never progressive] to 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
2
[intransitive/transitive] [not usually progressive] to 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
1. a.
  [transitive] [not usually progressive] to 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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
1. a.
  [intransitive/transitive] to understand what someone is saying to you
  Look, you're just not hearing me, are you?
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
1. a.
  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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear

phrases

be hearing things
to think that you have heard something when you have not
He went to the door but there was no one there. He must be hearing things.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
can't hear yourself think
to be unable to hear because a place is very noisy
It's so noisy in many pubs these days, you can hardly hear yourself think.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
do you hear (me)?/you hear (me)?
spoken
used for emphasizing what you are saying, especially when you think someone is not paying attention
I want this mess tidied up now – do you hear?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
from what I hear/from what I've heard
spoken
used for giving information based on what people have told you rather than on what you know is true
She's not going to be around much longer, from what I hear.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
have heard it (all) before
spoken
to not believe what someone is saying or not be impressed by it
All we seem to get is lame excuses. We have heard it all before.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
have not heard the last of
used for saying that you think someone or something will continue to succeed or be famous, even though they have failed once
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
have you heard (the one) about?/did you hear about?
spoken
used when you are starting to tell a joke
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
Hear! Hear!
used for saying that you strongly agree with what someone has just said
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
I hear/I've heard
spoken
1. 1
  used for introducing a subject that you want to discuss with someone that someone else has told you about
  I hear you're leaving us.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
2. 2
  used for saying what someone has told you, rather than what you know is true
  I hear she's as tough as anything.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
I hear you
spoken
1. 1
  I hear you
  or I hear what you're saying used for telling someone that you understand their opinion, especially when you disagree with it
  I hear what you are saying about the strength of feeling on this issue.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
2. 2
  used for agreeing with what someone says
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
I hear you say/cry
mainly spoken
used for saying what you think someone's opinion will be, so that you can give your reaction to it
What about the cost, I hear you say.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
let's hear it
spoken
used for telling someone to say what they are thinking
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
let's hear it for
spoken
used for saying that you think someone or something deserves a lot of praise
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
make yourself heard
to say something loudly enough for people to hear
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
never hear the end/last of it
used for saying that someone will continue to talk about something that they have achieved in a way that is annoying
If he gets a date with Clare, we'll never hear the end of it.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
not want to hear something
to not be willing to discuss or consider something
I don't want to hear another word on the subject.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear
you'll/she'll/they'll etc hear about it
spoken
used for saying that you will be angry with someone, and you will tell them this
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hear

phrasal verbs

Usage note: hear

When you hear a sound, you become conscious of it: Did you hear the thunder last night? ♦ I did not hear the door open.

When you listen, you deliberately pay attention to a sound in order to hear it: I listened carefully but I could not hear the thunder. ♦ I always listen to the radio in my car.

You hear something, but you listen to something.

This is the British English definition of hear. View American English definition of hear.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for hear.

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hear

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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

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

cyberloafing

Word of the Day

dark matter

show a bit of ankle