hear

hear [ hır ] (past tense and past participle heard [ hɜrd ] ) verb ***

▸ 1 notice sound

▸ 2 receive information

▸ 3 listen to

▸ 4 understand (feeling)

▸ 5 about things said

▸ 6 in court of law

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) intransitive or transitive never progressive to realize that someone or something is making a sound:

He listened but heard nothing more.

Mary heard the sound of voices.

hear someone/something doing something: She heard the dog barking outside.

someone can/could hear: Shh, I can't hear.

hear what: No one could hear what she said.

hear someone/something do something: He heard the door slam.

2. ) intransitive or transitive not usually progressive to receive information about something:

Have you heard? Lucy passed the bar exam.

be pleased/sorry etc. to hear: I'm delighted to hear that you're coming.

hear (that): I heard he'd got a new job.

hear what/how etc.: I came home as soon as I heard what happened.

hear rumors/the news: We heard rumors that the school was going to close.

hear about: Did you hear about Jim's party?

hear of: We didn't hear of his death until many years later.

3. ) transitive to listen to someone who is speaking about a particular thing:

We'll meet again in two weeks, when I'll hear your suggestions.

hear what: We're all eager to hear what he has to say.

hear someone on something: All members are entitled to be heard on this matter.

a ) transitive not usually progressive to listen to something such as a speech, performance, or program:

I want to hear the news on the radio before I go.

Do you want to hear this story or not?

hear someone do something: He's got a great voice you should hear him sing.

4. ) transitive to notice that someone is feeling a particular way from the way that they are speaking:

He heard the bitterness in her voice.

a ) intransitive or transitive to understand what someone is saying to you:

You're not hearing me. I said I did want to go.

5. ) intransitive or transitive used for talking about the things that people say:

I'm surprised to hear you say that.

I haven't heard him offering to help (=he has not offered).

You won't hear me complain (=I won't complain).

be heard to remark/comment/say etc.: One visitor was heard to remark something about the entrance fee.

6. ) transitive if a court case is heard, it is dealt with by a court or judge:

The appeal will be heard by a single judge.

a ) if the court hears something, that is what is said in court:

The court heard that he had been drinking.

The jury heard evidence from his employees.

be hearing things

to think that you have heard something when you have not

can't hear yourself think

to be unable to hear because a place is very noisy

do you hear (me)?/you hear (me)? SPOKEN

used for emphasizing what you are saying, especially when you think someone is not paying attention:

I want this mess cleaned up now, do you hear?

from what I hear/from what I've heard SPOKEN

used for giving information based on what people have told you rather than what you know is true

have heard it (all) before SPOKEN

to not believe what someone is saying or not be impressed by it

have not heard the last of

used for saying that you think someone or something will continue to succeed or be famous, even though they have failed once

have you heard (the one) about?/did you hear about? SPOKEN

used when you are starting to tell a joke

Hear! Hear!

used for saying that you strongly agree with what someone has just said

hear ye or now hear this AMERICAN

an old phrase used for introducing an official spoken announcement, especially in a court

I hear SPOKEN or I've heard

1. ) used for introducing a subject that you want to discuss with someone that someone else has told you about:

I hear you're leaving us.

2. ) used for saying what someone has told you, rather than what you know is true:

I hear she's as tough as nails.

I hear you SPOKEN

1. ) I hear you or I hear what you're saying used for telling someone that you understand their opinion, especially when you disagree with it

2. ) AMERICAN used for agreeing with what someone says

I hear you say/cry MAINLY SPOKEN

used for saying what you think someone's opinion will be, so that you can give your reaction to it:

What about the cost, I hear you say.

I've heard about SPOKEN

used for saying that you know something about someone or something, usually something that is not very pleasant:

I've heard about people like you.

let's hear it SPOKEN

used for telling someone to say what they are thinking

let's hear it for SPOKEN

used for saying that you think someone or something deserves a lot of praise

make yourself heard

to say something loudly enough for people to hear

never hear the end/last of it

used for saying that someone will continue to talk about something they have achieved in a way that is annoying:

If he gets a date with Clare, we'll never hear the end of it.

not want to hear something

to not be willing to discuss or consider something:

I don't want to hear another word on the subject.

she'll/they'll etc. hear about it SPOKEN

used for saying that you will be angry with someone, and you will tell them this

`hear from phrasal verb transitive hear from someone

1. ) if you hear from someone, they write or call you:

It's years since I heard from Jill.

The police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the accident.

2. ) to listen to someone who is speaking about a particular thing:

The Commission heard from over thirty witnesses.

Next we'll hear from a listener in St. Paul.

she'll/they'll/you'll etc. hear from me SPOKEN

used for saying that you will be angry with someone, and you will tell them this:

He'd better apologize to you or he'll be hearing from me.

`hear of phrasal verb transitive

1. ) hear of someone to receive news about someone:

Not much was heard of him until his reappearance last night.

2. ) hear of something to find out that something has happened:

I was shocked to hear of his death.

have heard of

to know about the existence of someone or something:

It was James Bomford. Never heard of him!

Have you heard of WAP phones?

not hear of it

to refuse to accept a suggestion or offer:

I said he could stay with us, but he wouldn't hear of it.

,hear `out phrasal verb transitive

hear someone out to let someone finish what they are saying without interrupting:

I'm serious about this; hear me out, please.