Definition

Noun: A person who listens to something, especially someone who pays attention to what is being said or heard.

Usage

The word "hearer" refers specifically to the individual receiving auditory information. It emphasizes the role of listening and paying attention. * The speaker addressed the hearers directly. * A good storyteller captivates every hearer in the room.

Advanced Usage

• In legal or formal contexts: "Hearer" can be used to denote a party in a proceeding who is listening to evidence or arguments.
  • The judge reminded all hearers of the court to remain silent.
• In linguistics and communication theory: The term is used to contrast with the "speaker" in a dialogue or communicative event.
  • The message's meaning is co-constructed by both the speaker and the hearer.

Variants and Related Words

• Listener: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "hearer."
• Auditor: A formal term for someone who listens, often in an official capacity (e.g., a financial auditor) or as a student attending a class without receiving credit.
• Audience: A collective noun for a group of hearers or listeners.
• Eavesdropper: A hearer who listens secretly to a private conversation.

Synonyms

• Listener
• Auditor
• Attender

Antonyms

• Speaker
• Talker

Related Phrases

• To fall on deaf ears: An idiom meaning to be ignored by the hearers.
  • His warnings fell on deaf ears.
• Hearer of the case: A formal phrase referring to an official, like a judge, who listens to legal arguments.
  • The hearer of the case will issue a ruling next week.

Noun

1. someone who listens attentively