"Word has it ..."

IHEAR

Listen closely, as this phrase starts with a personal pronoun and a verb for perceiving sound.

The clue "Word has it ..." hints at the phrase "word has it," which is a common way to introduce hearsay or gossip. The answer "IHEAR" plays on the idea of "hearing" something, with "I" added to the front to form a playful, first-person version. It’s a lighthearted twist on the phrase, turning it into a more personal statement.