overhear

This verb describes the accidental or opportunistic acquisition of information. It carries a strong connotation of secrecy or lack of permission, as the listener is typically not a participant in the conversation. The act is often passive, where the sound reaches the ear without a conscious effort to eavesdrop, though it can imply a sense of guilt or a sudden discovery of a secret.

Because the word focuses on the act of hearing rather than the act of understanding, it is distinct from spying. While spying is a deliberate pursuit, overhearing is often a matter of chance or proximity, making it a neutral or slightly clandestine term depending on the social context.