Hear Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
hear
[hษชษr ]
Definitions
listen
Perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something). To be aware of or to become aware of by hearing.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hear |
To become aware of a sound through the ears without necessarily focusing on it. It is passive and usually not intentional.
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| listen |
To actively focus on hearing something, giving it attention and thought. It implies that the person is engaged.
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| perceive |
To become aware of something through the senses, often implying a deeper or more abstract understanding. It is broader than just hearing.
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| detect |
To discover or identify the presence of something, often through careful observation or specialized equipment. It is more precise and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
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Examples of usage
- I can hear the birds singing outside.
- Can you hear me?
- We heard a loud noise coming from the kitchen.
auditory perception
The faculty of perceiving sounds. The range within which sounds may be heard; earshot.
Synonyms
auditory sense, listening capacity.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hear |
General term for perceiving sound with the ears.
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| auditory sense |
More scientific or technical term used in contexts like biology, psychology, or medicine.
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| listening capacity |
Refers to the ability to focus on and understand sounds or spoken words, often used in educational or psychological contexts.
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Examples of usage
- My hearing is not as good as it used to be.
- The music was within hearing.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Listening, which is different from just hearing, involves actively trying to understand and make sense of what you hear.
- The human brain processes sounds in real-time, making it capable of distinguishing multiple layers of sound, like music and chatter at a party.
- Studies show that our emotional state can influence how we interpret what we hear; emotions can color our understanding of a person's words.
Science
- Sound waves are vibrations that travel through air, and our ears convert these vibrations into signals our brain can understand.
- Humans can usually hear sounds as low as 20 Hz and as high as 20,000 Hz, but this range decreases with age.
- Hearing is linked to balance; the inner ear contains structures that help us maintain our sense of orientation.
Pop Culture
- Songs and music often emphasize hearing as a theme, with artists expressing ideas about love, loss, and connection through sound.
- The phrase 'I hear you' has become common in pop culture, signifying understanding and empathy.
- Hearing aids have revolutionized how individuals with hearing impairments experience music and conversations, expressing inclusion in culture.
Literature
- In literature, sound often plays a key role in setting the mood; authors use auditory imagery to enrich their storytelling.
- Famous works, such as Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Bells,' heavily rely on sound to evoke emotions and create atmosphere.
- Poetry frequently uses rhyme and rhythm to play on the auditory experiences of words, enhancing the reader's interaction with the text.
Origin of 'hear'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'hear' comes from the Old English word 'hyran,' which means to listen or perceive sounds.
- In many languages, the root of the word for hearing is similar, like 'entendre' in French and 'audire' in Latin, showing a common origin in communication.
- The concept of hearing has been fundamental in human development, becoming essential for language formation and social interaction.
The word 'hear' originated from the Old English word 'hieran', which is related to the Dutch 'horen' and German 'hรถren'. The Indo-European root is 'kous-', which means 'to hear'. The sense 'give an ear to' dates back to the late 14th century, while 'perceive by the ear' is from the early 15th century.