overhear

verb (overhear, overhears, overheard, overhearing)

«overhear» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

To overhear something is to hear what other people are saying without them knowing, or without meaning to listen. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a character often overhears a secret plan and the adventure begins. In everyday life you might overhear grown-ups talking; listening on purpose is eavesdropping. Phrases: «overhear a conversation», «I couldn't help overhearing», «be overheard».

Examples

I overheard Mum planning my surprise party. tree →
In the story, the boy overheard the pirates' plan. tree →
Sorry, I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. tree →
Speak quietly so you are not overheard. tree →
She overheard her name in the staff room. tree →
The spy overheard the soldiers talking. tree →
We overheard the teacher say there would be a quiz. tree →
This time they could not prevent him overhearing. tree →

Note

Irregular verb: overhear, overheard, overheard (like hear, heard). Overhearing is usually by accident; «eavesdropping» is listening on purpose.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «overhear» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«overhear» in the school dictionary on Mova free.

This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/overhear/