hear */*/*/

UK [hɪə(r)] / US [hɪr] verb
Word forms "hear":
present tense I/you/we/they hear he/she/it hears present participle hearing past tense heard UK [hɜː(r)d] / US [hɜrd] past participle heard

Collocations:

When you hear a sound, you become conscious of it: Did you hear the thunder last night? ♦ I did not hear the door open. When you listen, you deliberately pay attention to a sound in order to hear it: I listened carefully but I could not hear the thunder. ♦ I always listen to the radio in my car. You hear something, but you listen to something.

1) [intransitive/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.

Shh – I can't hear.

hear what:

No one could hear what she said.

hear someone/something do something:

He heard the door slam shut.

hear someone/something doing something:

She heard the dog barking outside.

2) [intransitive/transitive, not usually progressive] to receive information about something

Have you heard? Lucy passed her exam.

hear (that):

I heard he'd got a new job.

hear about:

Did you hear about Jim's party?

hear of:

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

be pleased/sorry etc to hear:

I'm delighted to hear that you're coming.

hear what/how etc:

I came home as soon as I heard what happened.

hear rumours/the news:

We heard rumours that the school was going to close.

3)

a) [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.

b) [transitive, not usually progressive] to listen to something such as a speech, performance, or programme

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)

a) [transitive] to notice that someone is affected by a particular feeling from the way that they are speaking

He heard the bitterness in her voice.

b) [intransitive/transitive] to understand what someone is saying to you

Look, you're just not hearing me, are you?

5) [intransitive/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)

a) [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.

b) if a 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.

•

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 tidied 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 on what you know is true

She's not going to be around much longer, from what I hear.

have heard it (all) before — spoken to not believe what someone is saying or not be impressed by it

All we seem to get is lame excuses. We have heard it all before.

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

I hear/I've heard — spoken used for introducing a subject that you want to discuss with someone that someone else has told you about; spoken used for saying what someone has told you, rather than what you know is true

I hear you're leaving us.

I hear she's as tough as anything.

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.

never hear the end/last of it — used for saying that someone will continue to talk about something that they have achieved in a way that is annoying

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

you'll/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

- be hearing things

- can't hear yourself think

- have not heard the last of

- I hear you

- let's hear it

- let's hear it for

- make yourself heard

- not want to hear something

Phrasal verbs:

- hear from

- hear of

- hear out