Overhear

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /oÊŠ.vÉš.hɪɚ/
• Rhymes: -ɪə(ɹ)

Origin

From Middle English *overheren, from Old English oferhīeran ("to overhear, hear, disobey, disregard, neglect"), equivalent to - + hear. Cognate with Dutch overhoren ("to hear, hear about"), German überhören ("to not hear, ignore"), Danish overhøre ("to overhear"), Icelandic yfirheyra ("to hear").

Full definition of overhear

Verb

1. To hear something that wasn't meant for one's ears.

Derived terms

• overhearer