listen

lis-ten · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    Give one's attention to a sound; pay attention to what someone is saying.

  2. 2.

    Take notice of and act on what someone says.

  3. 3.

    Make an effort to hear something.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    listen up — Pay attention (informal command).
  • •
    listen in — Secretly listen to a conversation.
  • •
    listen out for — Be alert to hear.
  • •
    I'm all ears — I'm listening attentively.
  • •
    listen to reason — Accept sensible advice.
  • •
    good listener — Someone who pays attention well.

Related words

Antonyms: disregard, ignore
See also: attention, hear, listener, music, sound
Synonyms: attend, hear, heed, pay attention

Etymology

From Old English hlysnan ("to listen"), from Proto-Germanic hlusnijaną, related to hlūdaz ("loud"). The 't' was inserted later by analogy with other words. Related to German lauschen ("to eavesdrop").