Phrasal verb
hear of
Meanings
to become aware of someone or something; to learn that it exists
to receive information about something that happened (often from other people or the news)
Definition
To hear of something is to learn that it exists or happened, usually from other people or the news.
If you hear of something, you find out about it indirectly, not by seeing it yourself. It often means you become aware that a person, place, product, or event exists. It can also mean you receive information about something that happened through conversation, social media, or the news.
Examples
- I heard of that café from a coworker.
- Have you heard of Maya Chen before?
- He heard of the delay through a group chat.
- She heard of the festival on the radio.
- They heard of the accident from neighbors.
Common mistake
Learners often say “hear about” when they mean “hear of” for first-time awareness (use “hear of” for existence; “hear about” for details).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.