hear
12 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of HEAR
1
not used in progressive tenses
a
:
to be aware of (sound) through the ear
[+ object]
-
Do you hear that music?
-
I can't hear you. = I can't hear what you are saying.
-
I couldn't hear a word of what he said over all that noise.
-
I thought I heard him leave.
-
He was heard leaving. = He was heard to leave.
[no object]
-
Would you turn the volume up a little? I can't hear.
-
She doesn't hear well. [=her ability to hear sounds is poor; her hearing is poor]
b
[+ object]
:
to listen to (someone or something)
-
I heard her in concert a few years ago.
-
Have you ever heard Wagner sung/performed in English?
-
The committee will hear witnesses today.
2
:
to be told (something)
— often + about
[+ object]
-
I hear he's leaving town.
-
“Is he leaving town?” “So I've heard.” = “So I hear.”
-
“Is he leaving town?” “That's what I'm hearing.” [=that's what people are saying]
-
I don't know what happened. I'll let you know if I hear anything.
-
I've heard it said that smoking is bad for your health.
-
He heard it on the radio.
-
(old-fashioned) I hear tell that he's leaving town.
-
Have you heard the one/joke about the traveling salesman and the farmer's daughter?
[no object]
-
Didn't you hear? There's a storm heading our way.
-
A week passed before they heard about the incident.
-
Frankly, I'm sick of hearing about his problems.
3
[+ object]
:
to give attention to (someone or something)
-
Lord, hear our prayers.
4
[+ object]
law
:
to listen to and make a judgment about (a court case)
-
The judge will hear the case.
be hearing things
:
to hear sounds that are not real
-
She swears she heard someone open the door, but I think she's just hearing things.
hear from
[phrasal verb]
hear from (someone)
:
to receive a letter, a telephone call, etc., from (someone)
-
We heard from them yesterday.
-
I haven't heard from her lately.
-
I haven't heard anything from her lately.
Hear! Hear!
— used during a speech or meeting to say that you agree with what someone else has just said
hear of
[phrasal verb]
hear of (someone or something)
:
to be aware of the existence of (someone or something)
:
to know about (someone or something)
—
see also not hear of (below)
-
He's supposed to be a famous actor, but this is the first time I've ever (even) heard of him. [=the first time I have heard his name]
-
I've never heard of such a thing!
-
If I hear of a job opening, I'll let you know.
hear out
[phrasal verb]
hear (someone) out
:
to listen to (someone who wants to tell you something)
-
I know you don't agree but hear me out.
hear yourself think
informal
— used to say that you cannot think clearly because of loud talking, music, etc.
-
That music is so loud I can't hear myself think.
I hear what you're saying
informal
— used to say that you understand what someone is telling you
-
I hear what you're saying but I still disagree.
make your presence heard
make yourself heard
never/not hear the end of it
informal
— used to say that someone will keep talking about something for a long time
-
If it turns out that he's right, we'll never hear the end of it. [=he will keep reminding us that he was right]
not hear of
:
to not allow (something)
—
see also hear of (above)
-
We tried to pay him for his help, but he wouldn't hear of it. [=he wouldn't allow us to pay]
