hear
Pronounced:
/ˈhiɚ/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
hears; heard /ˈhɚd/ hear·ing Meaning:
1 not used in progressive tenses a : to be aware of (sound) through the ear [+ obj] ▪ Do you hear that music? ▪ I can't hear you. = I can't hear what you are saying. ▪ I couldn't hear a word of what he said over all that noise. ▪ I thought I heard him leave. ▪ He was heard leaving. = He was heard to leave. [no obj] ▪ Would you turn the volume up a little? I can't hear. ▪ She doesn't hear well. [=her ability to hear sounds is poor; her hearing is poor] b [+ obj] : to listen to (someone or something) ▪ I heard her in concert a few years ago. ▪ Have you ever heard Wagner sung/performed in English? ▪ The committee will hear witnesses today.
2 : to be told (something) [+ obj] ▪ I hear he's leaving town. ▪ “Is he leaving town?” “So I've heard.” = “So I hear.” ▪ “Is he leaving town?” “That's what I'm hearing.” [=that's what people are saying] ▪ I don't know what happened. I'll let you know if I hear anything. ▪ I've heard it said that smoking is bad for your health. ▪ He heard it on the radio. ▪ (old-fashioned) I hear tell that he's leaving town. ▪ Have you heard the one/joke about the traveling salesman and the farmer's daughter? [no obj] ▪ Didn't you hear? There's a storm heading our way. —often + about ▪ A week passed before they heard about the incident. ▪ Frankly, I'm sick of hearing about his problems.
3 [+ obj] : to give attention to (someone or something) ▪ Lord, hear our prayers.
4 [+ obj] law : to listen to and make a judgment about (a court case) ▪ The judge will hear the case.
2 : to be told (something) [+ obj] ▪ I hear he's leaving town. ▪ “Is he leaving town?” “So I've heard.” = “So I hear.” ▪ “Is he leaving town?” “That's what I'm hearing.” [=that's what people are saying] ▪ I don't know what happened. I'll let you know if I hear anything. ▪ I've heard it said that smoking is bad for your health. ▪ He heard it on the radio. ▪ (old-fashioned) I hear tell that he's leaving town. ▪ Have you heard the one/joke about the traveling salesman and the farmer's daughter? [no obj] ▪ Didn't you hear? There's a storm heading our way. —often + about ▪ A week passed before they heard about the incident. ▪ Frankly, I'm sick of hearing about his problems.
3 [+ obj] : to give attention to (someone or something) ▪ Lord, hear our prayers.
4 [+ obj] law : to listen to and make a judgment about (a court case) ▪ The judge will hear the case.
be hearing things
: to hear sounds that are not real ▪ She swears she heard someone open the door, but I think she's just hearing things.
hear from [phrasal verb]
hear from (someone) : to receive a letter, a telephone call, etc., from (someone) ▪ We heard from them yesterday. ▪ I haven't heard from her lately. ▪ I haven't heard anything from her lately.
Hear! Hear!
—used during a speech or meeting to say that you agree with what someone else has just said
hear of [phrasal verb]
hear of (someone or something) : to be aware of the existence of (someone or something) : to know about (someone or something) ▪ He's supposed to be a famous actor, but this is the first time I've ever (even) heard of him. [=the first time I have heard his name] ▪ I've never heard of such a thing! ▪ If I hear of a job opening, I'll let you know. —see also not hear of (below)
hear out [phrasal verb]
hear (someone) out : to listen to (someone who wants to tell you something) ▪ I know you don't agree but hear me out.
hear yourself think
informal —used to say that you cannot think clearly because of loud talking, music, etc. ▪ That music is so loud I can't hear myself think.
I hear what you're saying
informal —used to say that you understand what someone is telling you ▪ I hear what you're saying but I still disagree.
make your presence heard —see presence
make yourself heard —see 1make
never/not hear the end of it
informal —used to say that someone will keep talking about something for a long time ▪ If it turns out that he's right, we'll never hear the end of it. [=he will keep reminding us that he was right]
not hear of
: to not allow (something) ▪ We tried to pay him for his help, but he wouldn't hear of it. [=he wouldn't allow us to pay] —see also hear of (above)
you could hear a pin drop —see 1pin