Hear: meaning, definitions and examples

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hear

[hɪər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

listen

Perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something). To be aware of or to become aware of by hearing.

Synonyms

detect, listen, perceive.

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. I can hear the birds outside. Did you hear that noise?
listen	To actively focus on hearing something, giving it attention and thought. It implies that the person is engaged. Please listen to me. She listens to music while studying.
perceive	To become aware of something through the senses, often implying a deeper or more abstract understanding. It is broader than just hearing. He perceived a change in her attitude. It's difficult to perceive any improvement.
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. The doctor used a stethoscope to detect a heartbeat. Scientists can detect small changes in the environment.

Examples of usage

I can hear the birds singing outside.
Can you hear me?
We heard a loud noise coming from the kitchen.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

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. I hear a strange noise outside Did you hear what she said?
auditory sense	More scientific or technical term used in contexts like biology, psychology, or medicine. The auditory sense allows us to detect a wide range of sounds Hearing loss affects the auditory sense
listening capacity	Refers to the ability to focus on and understand sounds or spoken words, often used in educational or psychological contexts. Her listening capacity has improved significantly since she started the exercises The child's listening capacity is remarkable during story time

Word

Description / Examples

hear

General term for perceiving sound with the ears.

I hear a strange noise outside
Did you hear what she said?

auditory sense

More scientific or technical term used in contexts like biology, psychology, or medicine.

The auditory sense allows us to detect a wide range of sounds
Hearing loss affects the auditory sense

listening capacity

Refers to the ability to focus on and understand sounds or spoken words, often used in educational or psychological contexts.

Her listening capacity has improved significantly since she started the exercises
The child's listening capacity is remarkable during story time

Examples of usage

My hearing is not as good as it used to be.
The music was within hearing.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "hear" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ouvir

🇮🇳 सुनना

🇩🇪 hören

🇮🇩 mendengar

🇺🇦 чути

🇵🇱 słyszeć

🇯🇵 聞く (きく)

🇫🇷 entendre

🇪🇸 oír

🇹🇷 duymak

🇰🇷 듣다 (deutda)

🇸🇦 يسمع (yasma')

🇨🇿 slyšet

🇸🇰 počuť

🇨🇳 听 (tīng)

🇸🇮 slišati

🇮🇸 heyra

🇰🇿 есту

🇬🇪 სმენად (smenad)

🇦🇿 eşitmək

🇲🇽 oír

Word Frequency Rank

At #867 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.

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864 fixed
865 failure
866 step
867 hear
868 benefits
869 middle
870 allow
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