Phrase guide

by ear

prep_phrase · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

To learn to play (an instrument) or sing by listening to recorded music without reading or memorizing sheet music or without any formal instruction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

To learn a language without instruction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: language learning

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

To do by guessing, to improvise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: efter gehør — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • Finnish: korvakuulolta — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • Finnish: korvakuulon mukaan — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • French: à l'oreille — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • Galician: de oído — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • German: nach Gehör — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • German: nach dem Gehör — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • Hungarian: hallás után — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • Romanian: după ureche — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • Russian: на слух (na slux) — to learn or perform using only hearing
  • Swedish: på gehör — to learn or perform using only hearing