What does rehear mean?
Rehear is a rare transitive verb meaning to hear or listen to something again. The word is especially associated with legal proceedings, where testimony or evidence may be heard again as part of reconsidering a matter, although its basic sense is not limited to law. A person may also rehear a recording, statement, or performance to check details or form a fresh judgment. Its straightforward formation from re- and hear makes the meaning transparent, but the word is uncommon in ordinary conversation and can readily be confused with rehearse, which means to practise a performance. Rehear should therefore be reserved for genuinely hearing material a second time rather than used as a substitute for rehearse. The word rewards attention because it names a simple, precise act that expressions such as listen again or review may express less directly.
verbTo hear or listen to something again, especially testimony or evidence as part of renewed legal proceedings.
- To hear or listen to something a second time, especially testimony or evidence during renewed legal proceedings.
"The judge agreed to rehear the witness's testimony."
"The panel asked to rehear the recording before reaching a decision."
"A judge may rehear testimony when a material procedural issue arises."
Rehear sounds like rehearse, but its job is simpler: it means to hear something again, not to practise a performance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rehear come from?
Rehear is an English formation combining re- with hear. Hear descends from Old English hīeran, inherited from Proto-Germanic *hauzijaną and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱh₂ows-, meaning “to hear.” The same root is reflected in related English forms such as hearing and hearsay.
Related word forms
How rehear is actually used
This is a rare, formal word that occurs most naturally in legal contexts or when discussing recorded material. It is distinct from the much more familiar rehearse.
Easily confused with rehear
To rehearse is to practise or prepare a performance, whereas to rehear is to hear something a second time.