hear
17 synonyms and 3 antonyms for hear, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To perceive sound through the ears.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use hear
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English hīeran, an ancient Germanic word ultimately built from roots meaning "sharp" and "ear" — literally "to be sharp-eared."
Full origin of hear →Frequently asked questions
What does “hear” mean?
The word “hear” means to perceive sound through the ears. In plain terms, to take in sound with your ears, or to learn news, or (for a court) to consider a case.
How do you pronounce “hear”?
“Hear” is pronounced HEER (/ˈhɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hear” in a sentence?
Here is “hear” used in a sentence: “Can you hear the birds singing outside?”
What is the opposite of “hear”?
The opposite of “hear” — its antonyms — are mishear, cock a deaf 'un and turn a deaf ear.
What part of speech is “hear”?
“Hear” is a verb.
Where does the word “hear” come from?
The word “hear” comes from Old English. From Old English hīeran, an ancient Germanic word ultimately built from roots meaning "sharp" and "ear" — literally "to be sharp-eared.".
Is “hear” a common word?
“Hear” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “hear” have?
“Hear” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to perceive sound through the ears.
What is the difference between hear and here?
They sound alike but differ completely. "Hear" is a verb — to perceive sound through the ears, as in "I can hear music." "Here" refers to a place or position, meaning "in this spot," as in "come here." A useful memory aid: the word "hear" contains the word "ear."
What is the difference between hearing and listening?
Hearing is passive — sound simply reaches your ears whether you attend to it or not. Listening is active, involving focus and effort to understand what you hear. You can hear traffic without listening to it. That distinction is exactly why we say someone "hears but doesn't listen."
Can hearing be measured?
Yes. Audiologists measure hearing with tests such as audiometry, which check the quietest sounds a person can detect across different pitches. Results are plotted on an audiogram and expressed in decibels. These measurements reveal the degree and pattern of any hearing loss and guide treatment or hearing-aid fitting.
What is an example of 'hear' in a sentence?
You might say, "I can hear the rain on the roof," or "Did you hear what she said?" The verb also appears figuratively, as in "I hear you've moved house," meaning you received the news. In each case, hear centres on receiving sound or information.