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Hear Very Common

Hear has 6 different meanings across 1 category:

Verb

Definitions
Verb
1

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

"She couldn't hear a thing because the loud music was drowning out every other sound in the room."

2

get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally

"I learned that she has two grown-up children"

"I see that you have been promoted"

3

examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process

"The jury had heard all the evidence"

"The case will be tried in California"

4

receive a communication from someone

"We heard nothing from our son for five years"

5

listen and pay attention

"Listen to your father"

"We must hear the expert before we make a decision"

6

To perceive sounds through the ear.

"She heard a loud crash coming from the kitchen while she was asleep in her bedroom."

In plain English: To hear means for your ears to pick up sounds from somewhere nearby.

"I could hear the birds singing outside my window this morning."

Usage: Use "hear" when you physically perceive sound waves entering your ears, such as hearing a doorbell ring or music playing nearby. It describes the passive act of receiving auditory input rather than actively listening with intent.

Example Sentences
"I could hear the birds singing outside my window this morning." verb
"I can hear birds singing outside my window." verb
"Please turn down the music so I can hear you better." verb
"Have you heard any news about the upcoming meeting?" verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
perceive probe pick up concentrate
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
catch get the goods wise up trip up ascertain discover rehear incline

Origin

The word "hear" comes from Old English, where it originally meant to have a sharp ear. This ancient root describes the physical ability to detect sound rather than just the modern act of listening.

Rhyming Words
ear dear near year bear fear mear lear pear rear wear tear sear arear shear spear abear drear grear blear
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