# unheard

/ənˈhɝd/ (US) · /ʌnhˈɜːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unheard
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. not perceived by the ear

adjective · CEFR B1

describes a sound that no one hears or notices.

For teachers: not perceived by the sense of hearing; physically silent or occurring without an audience.

- The small bell made a tiny sound that went unheard in the noisy street.
- The subtle clicking of the mechanism went unheard amidst the industrial roar of the factory floor.

### 2. ignored or not listened to

adjective · CEFR B2

describes when people do not listen to your ideas, advice, or complaints.

For teachers: ignored or disregarded by those in a position to listen or act.

- The students felt that their complaints about the food went unheard by the school.
- Despite numerous warnings from the engineering team, their concerns remained unheard until the system finally failed.

### 3. unprecedented or new

adjective · CEFR B2

describes something so new or extreme that it has never happened before.

For teachers: unprecedented or unknown in previous experience; often used in the phrase 'unheard of'.

- In the past, it was unheard of for a woman to work as a doctor.
- The level of public interest in the local election was previously unheard of in this quiet rural district.

Usage: Frequently appears in the fixed phrase 'unheard of' to describe something shocking or socially unacceptable.

## Examples

- Her cries for help went unheard in the busy street.
- Many employees felt their concerns about the new office policy went unheard by the senior management team.
- The composer died in poverty, leaving behind a collection of symphonies that remained unheard for nearly a century before being rediscovered.

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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.