- hear
- hearW1S1 [hıə US hır] v past tense and past participle heard [hə:d US hə:rd]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(hear sounds/words etc)¦2¦(listen to somebody/something)¦3¦(be told something)¦4¦(in court)¦5 have heard of somebody/something6 not hear the last of somebody7 you could hear a pin drop8 won't/wouldn't hear of it9 I/he etc will never hear the end of it10 be hearing things11 (do) you hear?12 you can't hear yourself think13 now hear this!14 hear! hear!15 have you heard the one about...16 I've heard that one beforePhrasal verbshear from somebodyhear somebody out▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: hieran]1.) ¦(HEAR SOUNDS/WORDS ETC)¦ [I,T not in progressive]to know that a sound is being made, using your ears▪ Blanche heard a crash as the back door was flung open.▪ Did anyone see or hear anything last night?▪ Old Zeke doesn't hear too well any more.hear sb/sth doing sth▪ Jenny could hear them arguing outside.hear sb do sth▪ She heard Tom go upstairs.hear what/who etc▪ I couldn't hear what they were saying most of the time.be heard to do sth▪ She didn't want to be heard to criticize him.2.) ¦(LISTEN TO SOMEBODY/SOMETHING)¦ [T not in progressive]to listen to what someone is saying, the music they are playing etc▪ Maggie did not wait to hear an answer.▪ Did you hear that programme on whales the other night?hear what▪ I want to hear what the doctor has to say.I hear what you say/what you're sayingspoken (=used to tell someone that you have listened to their opinion, but do not agree with it)▪ I hear what you say, but I don't think we should rush this decision.3.) ¦(BE TOLD SOMETHING)¦ [I,T not usually in progressive]to be told or find out a piece of information▪ I heard a rumor that he was getting married soon.hear (that)▪ I'm so sorry to hear he died.▪ She'll be pleased to hear that she can leave hospital tomorrow.hear about▪ Teresa heard about the decision later.hear of▪ I've heard of a job which would be just right for you.▪ This was the first I'd heard of any trouble in the area (=I had just heard news of trouble for the first time) .▪ He was last heard of in Washington (=he was in Washington the last time someone had information about him) .hear anything/much of sb/sth▪ We don't hear anything of him these days.so I hear/so I've heardspoken (=used to say that you have been told something or know it already)▪ There's a nasty infection going round, so I hear.hear what/how/who etc▪ Did you hear what happened to Julia?▪ I've heard it said that they met in Italy.4.) ¦(IN COURT)¦ [T]to listen to all the facts in a case in a court of law in order to make a legal decision▪ The Supreme Court heard the case on Tuesday.5.) have heard of sb/sthto know that someone or something exists because they have been mentioned to you before▪ 'Do you know Jill Marshall?' 'No, I've never heard of her.'6.) not hear the last of sbused to say that someone will continue to complain about something or cause problems▪ I'll sue him. He hasn't heard the last of me yet.7.) you could hear a pin dropused to emphasize how quiet a place is▪ You could have heard a pin drop in there.8.) spoken won't/wouldn't hear of itused to say that you refuse to agree with a suggestion or proposal▪ I said we should go back, but Dennis wouldn't hear of it.9.) spoken I/he etc will never hear the end of itused to say that someone will continue to talk about something for a long time▪ If my Mum finds out, I'll never hear the end of it.10.) spoken be hearing thingsto imagine you can hear a sound when really there is no sound▪ There's no one there. I must be hearing things.11.) spoken (do) you hear?used to emphasize that you are giving someone an order and they must obey you▪ I want you to leave right now. Do you hear?12.) spoken you can't hear yourself thinkused to emphasize how noisy a place is▪ Just shut up, Tom. I can't hear myself think.13.) spoken now hear this!AmE old use used to introduce an important official announcement14.) spoken hear! hear!used in a discussion or meeting to say that you agree with what the speaker is saying15.) spoken have you heard the one about...used when asking someone if they know a joke16.) spoken I've heard that one beforeused when you do not believe someone's excuse or explanationhear from [hear from sb] phr v1.) to receive news or information from someone▪ Do you ever hear from Jack?▪ Police want to hear from anyone who has any information about the attack.▪ I look forward to hearing from you (=hope to receive news from you) .2.) to listen to someone giving their opinion in a radio or television discussion programme▪ a chance to hear from some of the victims of violent crimehear out [hear sb out] phr vto listen to all of what someone wants to tell you without interrupting them▪ Just hear me out, will you?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬HINT sense 1Do not confuse hear with listen to , which means 'hear and pay attention to': You should listen to my advice (NOT You should hear my advice).▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.