Hearing — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈhir-iŋ/ hear·ing

Meaning & Definition of Hearing

Hearing (noun)

  1. the process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically, the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli
  2. earshot
  3. opportunity to be heard, to present one's side of a case, or to be generally known or appreciated

Hearing (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. range of hearing

    "let's make sure she's out of hearing before I tell you what I got her for her birthday"

    similar: earshot, hail, sound
    related: volume, distance, sight

Hearing (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come to an awareness of

    "I heard your sister is home from the hospital"

    similar: ascertaining, catching on (to), discovering, finding out, getting on (to), learning, realizing, seeing, wising (up), getting wind of
    related: hitting (on or upon), tumbling (to), descrying, detecting, encountering, espying, spotting, calculating, doping (out), figuring out, finding, puzzling (out), discerning, minding, noting, observing, perceiving, divining
    near: missing, overlooking, disregarding, ignoring, forgetting, unlearning, blanketing, blotting out, cloaking, concealing, covering, curtaining, enshrouding, hiding, masking, occulting, screening, shrouding, veiling

  2. to pay attention especially through the act of hearing

    "at least hear what I have to say before you start disagreeing"

    similar: attending, harkening, harking, hearkening, heeding, listening, minding, pricking up one's ears
    opposite: ignoring, tuning out
    near: discounting, disregarding

Related Entry: Hear (verb)

Hear is a different word from Hearing. The synonyms below are for hear, not for hearing.

  1. to come to an awareness of

    "I heard your sister is home from the hospital"

    similar: ascertain, catch on (to), discover, find out, get on (to), learn, realize, see, wise (up), get wind of
    related: hit (on or upon), tumble (to), descry, detect, encounter, espy, spot, calculate, dope (out), figure out, find, puzzle (out), discern, mind, note, observe, perceive, divine
    near: miss, overlook, disregard, ignore, forget, unlearn, blanket, blot out, cloak, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, mask, occult, screen, shroud, veil

  2. to pay attention especially through the act of hearing

    "at least hear what I have to say before you start disagreeing"

    similar: attend, hark, harken, hearken, heed, listen, mind, prick up one's ears
    opposite: ignore, tune out
    near: discount, disregard

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hearing

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hearing:

earshot, hail, sound, ascertaining, catching on (to), discovering, finding out, getting on (to), learning, realizing, seeing, wising (up), attending, harkening, harking, hearkening, heeding, listening, minding, getting wind of, pricking up one's ears

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hearing

Words with the opposite meaning of Hearing:

ignoring, tuning out

Related Words for Hearing

volume, distance, sight, hitting (on or upon), tumbling (to), descrying, detecting, encountering, espying, spotting, calculating, doping (out), figuring out, finding, puzzling (out), discerning, noting, observing, perceiving, divining

Near Antonyms of Hearing

missing, overlooking, disregarding, forgetting, unlearning, blanketing, blotting out, cloaking, concealing, covering, curtaining, enshrouding, hiding, masking, occulting, screening, shrouding, veiling, discounting

Origin & Etymology of Hearing

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Hearing

Words & Phrases Containing Hearing

hearing aid, hearing dog, hearing-impaired, hard of hearing, a fair hearing, be hearing things, within hearing

Frequently Asked Questions about Hearing

What does "Hearing" mean?

"Hearing" means the process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically, the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically, the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hearing"?

Other words for "Hearing" include earshot, hail, sound, ascertaining, catching on (to), discovering, finding out and getting on (to). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hearing" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hearing"?

There are 41 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hearing". Common alternatives include earshot, hail, sound, ascertaining, catching on (to), discovering, finding out, getting on (to), learning and realizing.

What is the opposite of "Hearing"?

Antonyms of "Hearing" include ignoring and tuning out. Near antonyms include missing, overlooking, disregarding and forgetting.

How do you use "Hearing" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hearing" in a sentence: "let's make sure she's out of hearing before I tell you what I got her for her birthday"; "I heard your sister is home from the hospital"; "at least hear what I have to say before you start disagreeing".

Is "Hearing" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hearing" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Hearing" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Hearing" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Hearing"?

"Hearing" is pronounced /ˈhir-iŋ/ and divided into syllables as hear·ing.