overhear
/,ouvə'hiə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To hear something, especially a conversation, without the knowledge or intention of the speakers; to hear something accidentally or secretly.
Usage
The verb "overhear" describes the act of unintentionally or deliberately listening to a conversation or remark that one is not a direct participant in. It implies the speakers are unaware they are being heard. It is a transitive verb and is often used in the passive voice.
Examples
- Verb:
- I couldn't help but overhear your argument.
- She overheard a fascinating piece of gossip on the bus.
- Important information was overheard by a journalist at the café.
Advanced Usage
- "to be overheard": This passive construction is common.
- Be careful what you say; you might be overheard.
- "to overhear someone say/saying something": A common grammatical pattern.
- He overheard the manager discussing layoffs.
Variants and Related Words
- Eavesdrop (verb): To listen secretly to a private conversation. (This implies a more deliberate, secretive act than "overhear," which can be accidental.)
- Overhearing (noun): The act of hearing something accidentally.
- The overhearing of that secret changed everything.
Synonyms
- Catch: To hear or understand something briefly or accidentally.
- I caught the end of their conversation.
- Eavesdrop: To listen secretly to a private conversation.
Antonyms
- Ignore: To refuse to take notice of.
- Miss: To fail to hear.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Idioms
(Note: "Overhear" itself is not typically used in phrasal verbs. The concept is usually expressed by the single verb.) - To listen in (on something): To listen to a conversation that you are not supposed to hear, often secretly. - He was accused of listening in on the board meeting. (This is closer in meaning to "eavesdrop.")
Verb
- hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
- We overheard the conversation at the next table