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Meaning of overhear
The primary meaning of the word "overhear" is to hear something without intending to, often secretly or unintentionally.
Etymology of overhear
The word "overhear" originated in the 15th century, from the prefix "over-" meaning "beyond" or "above" and the verb "hear", likely influenced by the Old English word "ofhieran" which meant "to hear by chance"
Historically, the term has been used to describe the act of unintentionally hearing a conversation or sound, often with connotations of secrecy or stealth
Synonyms
Definitions
- To hear something without intending to, often because you are near to people who are talking
- * To hear a conversation or remark that is not intended for you to hear
Usage Examples
- I overheard the conversation between my boss and colleague, and it seemed like they were discussing a potential promotion
- * She overheard the rumor about the company going bankrupt and immediately started looking for a new job
- * The detective overheard the suspicious conversation and decided to investigate further
Antonyms
ignore
disregard
neglect
overlook
miss
mishear
misunderstand
tune out
turn a deaf ear
be oblivious
be unaware
be ignorant
fail to notice
fail to hear
not hear
not listen
refuse to listen
shut out
shut off