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to hear

to hear

1.0
Listen to someone carefully to consider what they say
  • verb
  • /hɪr/
translation icon : escuchar
  • I mean, you are going to hear him speak from the heart.
  • want to hear
  • hear someone speak
  • hear someone say

And more than anything, they hear us and they change it.

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Examples

  • There was a willing audience, eager to hear something that didn't make them sad or bored.

    Academic text (2011)
  • I want you to hear it from me first.

  • I know that you can hear me, OK?

  • And we'll get a chance to hear that in a bit.

  • I would hear you crying in your room after school.

  • Sometimes you just got to tell them what they need to hear.

  • Do you hear what I'm saying?

  • Students will be eager to hear more of the story with each class meeting!

    Academic text (2013)
  • American voters should hear in more detail what each candidate would do about it.

    Academic text (2008)
  • I want you to hear it from me first so you understand the situation clearly.

Synonyms

to listen
vsto hear
1.0

Pay attention to sounds or speech to hear and understand them

is about giving careful consideration to what a person says rather than only sounds
to pay attention
vsto hear
1.6

To focus on someone or something and notice carefully

highlights considering someone's words specifically rather than general concentration
to hang
vsto hear
  • Informal
143 7.5

To listen very closely to every word someone says

is more general attention to speech, not necessarily every single word
to hear out
vsto hear
  • Informal
92 3.2

Listen to someone until they finish speaking

is broader attention to words, not only waiting until the end
to hear me out
vsto hear
  • Informal
86 4.4

Listen to someone until they finish speaking

describes general attentive consideration without the request to wait to finish
to attend
vsto hear
22 3.2

To listen or watch carefully

emphasizes considering what is said rather than broad careful notice
18 4.1

To accept good advice and change your mind

means attentive consideration of words rather than readiness to be persuaded
to take heed
vsto hear
  • Formal
11 6.2

Pay careful attention to advice or warnings

is attentive to words generally, not primarily to warnings or advice
to keep one's ears open
vsto hear
  • Informal
4 3.7

Stay alert to hear useful news or information

focuses on considering someone's words rather than general alertness to surroundings
to lend an ear
vsto hear
  • Informal
3 3.2

To listen to someone and show you care

is neutral attentive consideration without implying sympathy or emotion
to give ear
vsto hear
  • Archaic
1 6.2

To listen carefully to someone

is about considering someone's words thoughtfully rather than merely noticing sounds
to give heed
vsto hear
1 6.4

To pay careful attention to what someone says or does

focuses specifically on hearing and considering spoken remarks rather than general notice
to harken
vsto hear
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To listen carefully and pay attention

is the everyday way to give attention without archaic or formal tone

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

Idioms

8 8.1

To be told again and again about something you did wrong in an angry way

To have other people keep talking about something embarrassing or annoying

1 9.9

A very quiet place where even the smallest sounds seem noticeable

8.4

An informal greeting used when you have not had news from someone for a long time

To listen to people with the opposite view before deciding

Phrasal Verbs

to hear out
  • Informal
92 3.2

Listen to someone until they finish speaking

to hear me out
  • Informal
86 4.4

Listen to someone until they finish speaking

to hear voices
  • Specialized
40 8.4

To hear people talking when no one is there

To be able to just catch a voice or sound with difficulty

To notice sounds or voices that are not there

How Attentive

to concentrate
561 3.4
to hear
1.0
to listen
1.0

Surface Forms

hear infinitive
hearing present participle
hears third person singular
heard past
heard past participle

Etymology

Hear originally meant 'to listen', and over time it came to mean 'listen to someone's words' or pay attention to them. That's why we say we will hear someone when we mean we will listen to their view.