Definition

1. Verb:
   • To perceive sound with the ear: To become aware of a sound through the auditory sense.
   • To listen to and pay attention: To give one's attention to a sound or to someone speaking.
   • To receive information or news: To be told or to learn about something, often from another person or a communication.
   • To listen to and judge formally: To listen to evidence, arguments, or a case in an official or legal context.

Examples of Usage

• Perceiving sound:
  • I can hear the birds singing outside my window.
  • Did you hear that loud noise?
• Listening and paying attention:
  • Please hear what I have to say before you decide.
  • The teacher asked the class to hear the instructions carefully.
• Receiving information:
  • I was sorry to hear about your accident.
  • Have you heard from your brother lately?
• Listening formally (legal/official):
  • The judge will hear the witness testimony tomorrow.
  • The committee heard arguments from both sides.

Advanced Usage

• "Hear! Hear!": An exclamation used to express strong agreement, especially in a public meeting or debate.
  • When the speaker promised lower taxes, someone shouted, "Hear! Hear!"
• "You will hear of this": A threat or warning implying that there will be serious consequences.
  • After the boy broke the window, the neighbor said, "You will hear of this!"
• "To hear oneself think": Used to complain about excessive noise.
  • It's so loud in here I can't hear myself think.

Variants and Related Words

• Hearing (n): The faculty of perceiving sounds; a formal session for listening to evidence or arguments.
  • She has very good hearing.
  • The court is in hearing.
• Unheard (adj): Not heard; not listened to.
  • Her pleas for help went unheard.
• Hearer (n): A person who hears or listens.
  • The speaker captivated his hearers.

Synonyms

• Perceive: To become aware of a sound.
• Listen: To give attention with the ear.
• Learn: To gain knowledge or information.
• Receive: To get information or news.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hear from: To receive a letter, phone call, or news from someone.
  • I haven't heard from my cousin in months.
• Hear of:
  • To know about the existence of someone or something.

    • I've never heard of that author.
  • To allow or consider (usually used in negative constructions).

    • My father wouldn't hear of me paying for the meal.
• Hear out: To listen to someone until they have finished speaking.
  • Please hear me out before you get angry.

Related Idioms

• Hear on the grapevine: To hear news as gossip or rumor.
  • I heard on the grapevine that they are getting married.
• Hear a pin drop: Used to describe a situation of extreme quiet.
  • The audience was so attentive you could hear a pin drop.
• Won't hear a word against: To refuse to listen to any criticism of someone or something.
  • She adores her grandfather and won't hear a word against him.

Verb

1. listen and pay attention
   • Listen to your father
   • We must hear the expert before we make a decision
2. receive a communication from someone
   • We heard nothing from our son for five years
3. examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process
   • The jury had heard all the evidence
   • The case will be tried in California
4. get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally
   • I learned that she has two grown-up children
   • I see that you have been promoted
5. perceive (sound) via the auditory sense