English Profile

hear · verb

/hɪr/Full view

Word family

Nouns: hearing

Adjectives: unheard-of

Verbs: hear, overhear

hear (RECEIVE SOUND)

A1 I or T to be aware of a sound through your ears

Dictionary examples:

She heard a noise outside.

My grandfather is getting old and can't hear very well.

You'll have to speak up; I can't hear you.

I could hear someone calling my name.

Learner example:

I can hear birds sing[ing] there. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Pashto)

hear (LISTEN)

A2 T to listen to someone or something

Dictionary examples:

I heard on the radio that it's going to rain.

I heard her sing in New York.

Learner example:

I like soft rock music, and I would like to hear it [at] the concert. (Key English Test; A2; Russian)

hear (BE TOLD)

B1 I or T to be told some information

Dictionary examples:

Have you heard the news?

If you haven't heard by Friday, assume I'm not coming.

Have you heard about what happened?

I hear (that) you're leaving.

Learner example:

After, she told me that my mother-in-law [had] arrived [in] the city and, obviously, when I heard that, I started to cry. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Catalan)

the last sb heard

C2 the last time someone heard anything about someone or something

Dictionary example:

The last I heard, they will arrive Tuesday night.

Learner example:

That was the last I heard of her for a long time. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

hear from sb

B1 If you hear from someone, you get a letter, a message, or a telephone call from them, or they tell you something.

Dictionary examples:

We haven't heard from her for a long time.

You'll be hearing from my lawyer.

Learner example:

I didn't hear from my friend for a long time. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Romanian)

have heard of sb/sth

B2 If you have heard of someone or something, you know that that person or thing exists.

Dictionary examples:

I'd never heard of him before he won the prize.

It's a tiny country that most people have never heard of.

Learner example:

The old man had never heard of the Dark Duck, so he asked Paul what it was. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)