heard
A1Neutral (used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
past tense and past participle of 'hear': to perceive sound with the ear.
To become aware of information, news, or opinions through auditory perception or other forms of communication; to have listened to and considered something; to have attended and understood a legal case or trial.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a past tense and past participle, 'heard' indicates a completed action of perception, often implying passive reception of information. It can also be used in the perfect aspect to indicate an experience up to the present (e.g., 'I have heard that song before').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is identical in both dialects.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Equally common and fundamental in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[sb] heard [sth][sb] heard that [clause][sb] heard about/of [sth/sb][sb] heard [sb] do/doing [sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “heard it through the grapevine”
- “to be hard of hearing (figurative: not listening)”
- “heard the last of”
- “won't be heard to say”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The board has heard your proposal and will deliberate."
Academic
"The court heard evidence from several expert witnesses."
Everyday
"I heard you were moving to Leeds."
Technical
"The microphone heard a signal at 440 Hz."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We heard a marvellous concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
- Have you heard the latest about the rail strike?
American English
- I heard a great band play at the club last night.
- He heard about the job opening through a colleague.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The case is now a heard matter before the court.
American English
- It's a heard argument that lacks fresh evidence.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I heard a loud noise.
- She heard her name.
- Have you heard the new album by that band?
- We heard that the meeting was cancelled.
- Having heard both sides of the argument, the judge made a decision.
- I've never heard such an unconvincing excuse.
- The Supreme Court heard the landmark case last Tuesday.
- She was relieved to be finally heard after years of being ignored.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word 'hear' + 'd' = 'heard' (sounds like 'herd' of cows, but you *heard* them moo).
Conceptual Metaphor
HEARING IS UNDERSTANDING ("I hear you" = I comprehend your point).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from Russian 'слышал', which can be confused with 'listened' (слушал). 'Heard' is the result of listening. Confusion with 'to listen to music' (слушать музыку) vs. 'I heard music' (Я слышал музыку).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'heared' (incorrect spelling). Confusing 'heard' (past) with 'hear' (present). Incorrectly using 'heard' as present tense (e.g., 'I heard you' vs. present 'I hear you').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'heard' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Hear' is the passive act of perceiving sound. 'Listen' is the active, focused effort to hear. 'Heard' is the past of 'hear'.
No, 'heared' is a common misspelling. The correct past tense and past participle is 'heard'.
No, 'heard' is exclusively past tense (simple past) or past participle (used with auxiliaries like 'have/had'). The present tense is 'hear' or 'hears'.
It means for a judge or court to listen to the evidence and arguments presented in a case in order to make a judgment.