unheard

unheard — adjective

1. Describes a situation where a person's opinion, request, or complaint is ignored

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

Describes a situation where a person's opinion, request, or complaint is ignored by the people who have the power or responsibility to respond to it.

Example

Esteban's complaint about the delayed flights went unheard by the airline manager.

go unheard — a complaint or opinion is ignored

The children's request for a later bedtime remained unheard despite their careful arguments.

remain unheard — a request receives no response

Common collocations
  • go unheard
  • remain unheard
  • unheard plea
  • unheard complaint
  • unheard warning
  • leave unheard
Synonyms
  • ignored

    More general; applies to any kind of neglect, not just a lack of response to words or requests

  • disregarded

    More formal; suggests a deliberate decision to pay no attention

  • overlooked

    Suggests unintentional neglect rather than a conscious refusal to listen

Antonyms
  • heard

    Simple opposite when referring to someone's voice or opinion

  • acknowledged

    Opposite of 'disregarded' — indicates a response was given

Grammar Patterns

go unheard

remain unheard

[noun] + be + unheard

Usage Note

In this sense, 'unheard' rarely appears before a noun (attributive position). It is almost always used after linking verbs, most commonly 'go' or 'remain'.

Common Mistakes

His rude behavior was completely unheard.
His rude behavior was completely unheard-of.
'unheard' means not listened to; 'unheard-of' means extremely unusual or shocking and is a distinct compound adjective.

2. Describes a sound that is too quiet, too distant, or blocked by other noise, so

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

Describes a sound that is too quiet, too distant, or blocked by other noise, so that it is not received by the ear.

Example

Camille spoke softly, and her words were almost unheard in the crowded café.

be unheard — a sound is too quiet to hear

The distant rumble of thunder was unheard by the children playing in the garden.

unheard by [person] — specific listener

Common collocations
  • unheard sound
  • unheard cry
  • unheard voice
  • almost unheard
  • go unheard
Synonyms
  • inaudible

    More technical; describes a sound that cannot be detected by the ear at all, regardless of the reason

  • muffled

    Describes a sound that is difficult to hear because something blocks it, not completely silent

Antonyms
  • audible

    Describes a sound that can be heard clearly

Grammar Patterns

[sound] + be + unheard

unheard + [noun]

[sound] + go + unheard

Word family

  • hear
    verbA1
  • hearing
    nounA2
  • hearsay
    nounC1
  • unheard-of
    adjectiveB2
  • audible
    adjectiveB1
  • inaudible
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a lack of attention, but they differ in intentionality and focus. 'Unheard' is specific to spoken words or requests that receive no response — it implies someone tried to communicate but was not listened to. 'Ignored' is broader: it can apply to people, objects, rules, or advice, and often suggests a conscious choice to pay no attention. 'Disregarded' is more formal than 'ignored' and carries a stronger sense of deliberate dismissal ('the judge disregarded the objection'). 'Overlooked' implies unintentional neglect — something was missed by accident rather than on purpose ('the typo was overlooked by the editor'). 'Neglected' suggests a failure to give proper care or attention over time ('the garden was neglected'). Use 'unheard' when someone's voice went unanswered; use 'ignored' or 'disregarded' when the lack of attention was deliberate; use 'overlooked' when it was accidental.

ignoreddisregardedoverlookedneglected

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in Old English from 'un-' (meaning 'not') and 'heard' (past participle of 'hieran', meaning 'to hear'). The original literal meaning — 'not heard' — appears in Old English texts. By the 17th century, the figurative sense of 'not listened to' or 'ignored' had become established, and this remains the more common meaning today.