- 1[intransitive, transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be aware of sounds with your ears I can't hear very well. hear something/somebody She heard footsteps behind her. I couldn't hear anything. hear somebody/something doing something He could hear a dog barking. hear somebody/something do something Did you hear him go out? I heard a car drive off. hear what… Didn't you hear what I said? somebody/something is heard to do something She has been heard to make threats to her former lover.
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- 2[transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to listen or pay attention to someone or something hear something Did you hear that interview on the radio last night? a chance to hear the first movement again to hear both sides of the argument hear somebody/something/yourself do something Be quiet—I can't hear myself think! (= it is so noisy that I can't think clearly) Have you ever heard him lecture? hear what… We'd better hear what they have to say. I hear what you're saying (= I have listened to your opinion), but you're wrong.
- 3[intransitive, transitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to be told about something Haven't you heard? She resigned. “I'm getting married.” “So I've heard.” Things are going well from what I hear. hear about somebody/something I was sorry to hear about your accident. Wait till he hears about this. I've heard about people like you. hear something We had heard nothing for weeks. I was delighted to hear your good news. hear (that)… I was surprised to hear (that) he was married. I hear you've been away this weekend. hear it said (that)… I've heard it said (that) they met in Italy. hear what, how, etc… Did you hear what happened?
- 4[transitive] hear something to listen to and judge a case in court The appeal was heard in private. Today the jury began to hear the evidence. Idioms
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NAmE//hɪr//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they hear he / she / it hears
past simple heard
-ing form hearing
to imagine that you can see or hear something that is in fact not there
used to ask someone if they have heard a particular joke before
used to show that you agree with or approve of what someone has just said, especially during a speech
to hear/see someone or something for the last time That was the last I ever saw of her. Unfortunately, I don't think we've heard the last of this affair.
to hear people talking about something I've often heard tell of such things.
used to say that you do not really believe someone's promises or excuses because they are the same ones you have heard before
used to say that someone or something deserves praise Let's hear it for the teachers, for a change.
to express your feelings, opinions, etc. in a way that makes people notice and consider them The program gives ordinary viewers a chance to make their voices heard.
to keep being reminded of something because someone is always talking to you about it If we don't get her a dog we'll never hear the end of it.
it was extremely quiet The audience was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
used to tell someone in an angry way to pay attention and obey you You can't go—do you hear me? Phrasal Verbshear fromhear ofhear outnot hear of
Check pronunciation: hear