Hear

/ˈhɪə/ · verb

Meaning

(intransitive, stative) To perceive sounds through the ear..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive, stative) To perceive sounds through the ear.
2. (transitive, stative) To perceive (a sound, or something producing a sound) with the ear, to recognize (something) in an auditory way.
3. (transitive) To exercise this faculty intentionally; to listen to.
4. (transitive) To listen favourably to; to grant (a request etc.).
5. (transitive) To receive information about; to come to learn of.
6. To be contacted by. [with from]
7. (transitive, law) To listen to (a person, case) in a court of law; to try.
8. (transitive, informal) To sympathize with; to understand the feelings or opinion of.

Example Sentences

I was deaf, but now I can hear.

I could hear them quarreling upstairs, but didn’t really listen to their argument.

Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda.

Agayne there was dissencion amonge the iewes for these sayinges, and many of them sayd: He hath the devyll, and is madde: why heare ye hym?

It had been his intention to go to Wimbledon, but as he himself said: “Why be blooming well frizzled when you can hear all the results over the wireless. And results are all that concern me. […]”

Eventually the king chose to hear her entreaties.

Adam, soon as he heard / The fatal Trespass don by Eve, amaz'd, / Astonied stood and Blank […]

I haven't heard from you in a while; how have you been?

Synonyms for hear

Antonyms for hear

Related Words

Word Forms

• hears
• hearing
• heard
• heare
• 'ear

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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