overhear
verb
over·hear
ˌō-vər-ˈhir 
overheard
ˌō-vər-ˈhərd
; overhearing
ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ
; overhearing
ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ
: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
: to overhear something
Examples of overhear in a Sentence
She overheard what her boss said to his secretary.
I overheard a rumor about you.
They were overheard discussing the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
My wife, overhearing this, couldn't help but laugh at my politeness toward a machine.
—
Bernard Marr, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Both complaints cited overhearing employees at the Kwik Trip at 2530 N. Grandview Blvd.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
In Wednesday’s Shrinking, Liz sold her share of the food truck to Sean’s dad after overhearing a touching conversation between father and son.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 23 Oct. 2024
Dede and Elsa overhear the fight from the threshold of their bedroom door, which ends at a standstill.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overhear 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bernard Marr, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Both complaints cited overhearing employees at the Kwik Trip at 2530 N. Grandview Blvd.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
In Wednesday’s Shrinking, Liz sold her share of the food truck to Sean’s dad after overhearing a touching conversation between father and son.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 23 Oct. 2024
Dede and Elsa overhear the fight from the threshold of their bedroom door, which ends at a standstill.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overhear
Dictionary Entries Near overhear
Cite this Entry
“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhear. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhear
verb
over·hear
ˌō-vər-ˈhi(ə)r
overheard
-ˈhərd
; overhearing
-ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
; overhearing
-ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share