hearing
B1Neutral to formal, depending on context (everyday for sense of sound, formal for legal sense).
Definition
Meaning
The ability to perceive sound using one's ears; the physiological or auditory sense.
A formal meeting, often in a legal or official context, where evidence or arguments are presented for consideration, leading to a decision; an opportunity to be heard or listened to.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a polysemous noun. The primary sense (perception of sound) is uncountable. The secondary sense (official meeting) is countable, typically used with articles like 'a' or 'the'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both share the same semantic range and register.
Connotations
Both share connotations of listening, legal process, and opportunity to present a case.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties. The legal sense is standard in the judiciary of both countries.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to have [adjective] hearingto hold a hearing on [topic]to be granted a hearingto give someone a hearingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in/within hearing distance”
- “a hearing ear”
- “hard of hearing”
- “to fall on deaf ears (contrasting idiom)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for official meetings like 'shareholder hearings' or 'disciplinary hearings'.
Academic
Used in psychology and physiology for studies on auditory perception; in law for procedural studies.
Everyday
Commonly refers to the sense itself (e.g., 'My hearing is getting worse') or a doctor's appointment for ears ('hearing test').
Technical
In law: a formal proceeding. In medicine/audiology: the function of the auditory system.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She is hearing the case tomorrow.
- I can't believe what I'm hearing.
American English
- The judge will be hearing arguments next week.
- Are you hearing this noise too?
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable - 'hearing' is not used as a standard adverb.)
American English
- (Not applicable - 'hearing' is not used as a standard adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The hearing-impaired community requires better access.
- A hearing dog for the deaf.
American English
- Hearing-impaired individuals may use various devices.
- The hearing officer presided over the meeting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandfather has good hearing.
- We are learning about the five senses, like hearing.
- She went to the doctor for a hearing test.
- The noise was so loud it damaged his hearing.
- The council will hold a public hearing about the new park.
- He is hard of hearing and uses a hearing aid.
- The committee granted the protesters a hearing to discuss their grievances.
- Audiologists specialise in disorders related to hearing and balance.
- The witness's testimony at the preliminary hearing was crucial.
- The defendant's right to a fair hearing was deemed to have been violated.
- Advancements in cochlear implant technology have revolutionised treatment for profound hearing loss.
- The parliamentary select committee convened an extraordinary hearing to scrutinise the minister's actions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a judge saying, 'I am HEARING your case' during a court HEARING, linking the act of listening to the formal event.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE IS A COURTROOM PROCEDURE (for the legal sense: 'He was denied a hearing' maps justice/denial onto a physical event).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'слух' when referring to rumors/gossip. 'Hearing' is physical/legal, not informational. 'Hearing aid' is 'слуховой аппарат', not 'помощь для слуха'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (it's a noun; the verb is 'hear'). Incorrect: 'I am hearing the music' (present continuous for perception) is often taught as incorrect for stative verbs, though it's increasingly used. Using 'a hearing' for an informal chat.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hearing' most likely to be a countable noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For the verb 'hear', the present continuous ('hearing') is not typically used for the basic perception of sound (e.g., 'I hear a bird' not 'I am hearing a bird'). However, it is correctly used for active listening (e.g., 'The court is hearing the case') or temporary situations (e.g., 'I'm hearing strange noises lately').
A hearing is a broader term for any formal proceeding before a judge or official body, which may involve arguments, evidence, or procedural matters. A trial is a specific type of hearing where evidence is presented to determine guilt or liability in a contested case. Not all hearings are trials.
No. In English, 'hearing' only relates to the sense of sound or a formal session. The word for rumor or unconfirmed news is 'hearsay', which is etymologically related but not interchangeable.
A hearing aid is a small electronic device worn in or behind the ear to amplify sound for people with hearing loss. It is a standard collocation and compound noun.
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Body
A2 · 48 words · Talking about health, illness and medical care.