overhear

[ oh-ver-heer ]
/ ˌoʊ vərˈhɪər /

verb (used with object), o·ver·heard, o·ver·hear·ing.

to hear (speech or a speaker) without the speaker's intention or knowledge: I accidentally overheard what they were saying.

Origin of overhear

First recorded in 1540–50; over- + hear

OTHER WORDS FROM overhear

o·ver·hear·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for overhear

British Dictionary definitions for overhear

overhear
/ (ˌəʊvəˈhɪə) /

verb -hears, -hearing or -heard

(tr) to hear (a person, remark, etc) without the knowledge of the speaker