overhear

[ oh-ver-heer ]

/ ˌoʊ vərˈhɪər /

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

o·ver·hear·er, noun

For good measure, he tosses in an unfortunate BUSBOY that happened to overhear the conversation.

Frank Underwood Will Not Tolerate Insubordination in This Olive Garden |Kelly Williams Brown |February 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In the changing room, I overhear two jocks discussing the crisis.

Slouching Towards Maidan: An American Hair-Trader Reflects On Ukraine’s Protests |Vijai Maheshwari |December 15, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Hope that no innocent children can overhear his swearword-laden verbal floods that push the boundaries of the English language!

‘Borgen,’ ‘The Thick of It,’ Bond: What to Watch During the Thanksgiving Weekend |Jace Lacob |November 21, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
“Everyone in the place can overhear the conversation where the person is questioning my identity and calling me sir,” she said.

Voter Identification Laws Create Unique Problems For Transgender Voters |Alex Berg |November 2, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

We hovered a dozen feet behind them, straining to overhear without being too obvious about it.

Encounters With Thomas Pynchon |Nick Romeo |October 5, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
She turned her head over her shoulder, as though afraid some one might overhear.

The Lady of the Basement Flat |Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
By turning on the receiving end, he could overhear conversations in the guardroom.

The Status Civilization |Robert Sheckley
Then he glanced at her and out through the open door, to make sure none could overhear.

Barlasch of the Guard |H. S. Merriman
It was comforting to overhear them say to each other on the journey: "This is fine, mate, ain't it?"

Fanny Goes to War |Pat Beauchamp
But, unable to overhear the two women, who were conversing in an undertone, he hurried upstairs toward his employer's bedroom.

The Mask |Arthur Hornblow

overhear

/ (ˌəʊvəˈhɪə) /

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