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Definition of overhear

overhear

/ˌoʊ.vɚˈhɪr/
o · ver · hear
Adjective:overheard
•
Past Simple:overheard
•
Past Participle:overheard
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Present Participle:overhearing
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overhear Lexical Profile

overhear Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To hear someone speaking or something being said unintentionally or without the speaker's knowledge.

Example

"While waiting in the lobby, I happened to overhear two managers discussing the upcoming merger."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for overhear
Antonyms
View all antonyms for overhear

Word Nuance & Usage

Unlike "eavesdrop," which implies deliberately and secretly listening to a private conversation, "overhear" typically means hearing something by accident without the speaker's knowledge.

• Rhymes for overhear

• Nearby Words

overhated
overhaul
overhead
overhear
overheat
overhigh
overhit

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English oferhieran, originally meaning to hear and disobey or disregard, formed from ofer- (over) and hieran (to hear); the modern sense of hearing something not intended for one's ears emerged in Middle English.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Overhear. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/overhear
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