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
Hans Thimig, Max Reinhardt’s brother-in-law who also worked at the theater, later recalled overhearing one of these conversations and watching Reuss break down in tears.
—
Tomas Weber, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Iwas in a coffee shop recently and accidentally overheard, as happens, some nice older liberal ladies talking politics.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 23 Oct. 2024
Getting to that revelation involved a long, twisting saga of family secrets, DNA tests, genealogical detective work and one lucky remark overheard on a golf course.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2024
With great sound quality and easy connectivity, these earbuds will save you from overhearing your fellow passengers during your next flight.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overhear 
Tomas Weber, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Iwas in a coffee shop recently and accidentally overheard, as happens, some nice older liberal ladies talking politics.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 23 Oct. 2024
Getting to that revelation involved a long, twisting saga of family secrets, DNA tests, genealogical detective work and one lucky remark overheard on a golf course.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2024
With great sound quality and easy connectivity, these earbuds will save you from overhearing your fellow passengers during your next flight.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overhear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overhear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overhear
Cite this Entry
“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhear. Accessed 5 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
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