OVERHEAR

[verb] [past:] overheard - to hear (what other people are saying) unintentionally and without their knowledgeI overheard a very funny conversation on the bus this morning. [T]Gwen didn't know that Bob had overheard her on the telephone. [T]He overheard his daughter telling her teddy not to be so naughty. [T + object + verb-ing]We were so embarrassed when we overheard them say that they didn't like the meal we'd cooked for them. [T + object + infinitive without to]I'm sorry, I couldn't help overhearing. [I]