# heard

/ˈhɝd/ (US) · /hˈɜːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heard
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. past tense of hear

verb · CEFR A1

the past form of 'hear' — you use it when a sound reached your ears in the past.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle of 'hear', indicating the past perception of sound or the receipt of information.

- I heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen last night.
- The witness claimed she had heard a heated argument through the thin apartment walls just moments before the police arrived.

Usage: The past participle form is identical to the simple past form.

### 2. perceived by the ear

adjective · CEFR B2

describes a sound that people are able to hear or have noticed.

For teachers: perceived aurally; often used in the context of voices or sounds being audible to others.

- She spoke softly, but her voice was still heard across the room.
- The composer was delighted to find that his early works were finally being heard by a wider international audience.

Usage: Often used after the noun it describes or as a predicative adjective.

### 3. I understand

interjection · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a casual way to say 'I understand you' or 'I got it'.

For teachers: a colloquial interjection used to acknowledge that a statement has been understood or accepted.

- I need those reports on my desk by five. — Heard.
- After the chef shouted the order for three steaks, the entire kitchen staff responded with a unified 'Heard' to confirm receipt.

Teaching tip: This usage is common in professional kitchens and high-pressure environments to confirm instructions quickly.

## Examples

- I heard a strange noise in the kitchen last night.
- She heard that the company was planning to open a new office in the city center.
- Although the witness claimed to have heard the conversation clearly, the defense argued that the ambient street noise would have made such clarity impossible.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.