In Appalachian and Southern speech, "heared" is the nonstandard past tense or past participle of "hear." It’s a hallmark of older rural speech, especially in story-telling and gossip: "I heared tell""
I'd say 'heared' is another one that you hear from old timers mostly.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'd say 'heared' is another one that you hear from old timers mostly.
Pronunciation
[HEER-d] or [HEE-erd] (depending on the speaker)
Meaning & Usage
- Past tense/past participle of "hear" (dialect verb form)
Gossiping on the porch
Mae:
I heared she moved back home.
Earl:
Yep - I heared that too.
- Set phrase: "I heared tell""
Telling a tall tale
Mae:
I heared tell he caught a catfish bigger’n his arm.
variations: heard (standard form)
★ "Heared" is especially tied to older Appalachian speech patterns and oral storytelling. It signals a hand-me-down story, like "they say" or "I heard it from so-and-so," and shows up in many folk tales and WPA oral histories. ★
Origin and Etymology
"Heared" reflects an older English past tense pattern and analogical formation, reinforced by Scots-Irish dialect brought to Appalachia. It’s been recorded in Appalachian dialect studies since the 19th century.
Usage Notes
Still heard in rural and older Southern/Appalachian speech, though less common among younger speakers. Recognized as folksy or old-fashioned when used in writing.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "heared" - usually two syllables: "hee-erd."
It’s nonstandard in formal English but authentic in Southern/Appalachian dialect.
Where do you hear it?
Throughout Appalachia and the rural South, especially in older speakers.
What does "I heared tell" mean?
It’s a set phrase meaning "I heard" or "I heard it said."
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Heared. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/heared
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Heared." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/heared.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Heared." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/heared.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
I'd say 'heared' is another one that you hear from old timers mostly. 
