Advertisement

View synonyms for listen

listen

[ lis-uhn ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear.
  2. to pay attention; heed; obey (often followed by to ):

    Children don't always listen to their parents.

  3. to wait attentively for a sound (usually followed by for ):

    to listen for sounds of their return.

  4. Informal. to convey a particular impression to the hearer; sound:

    The new recording doesn't listen as well as the old one.



verb (used with object)

  1. Archaic. to give ear to; hear.

verb phrase

    1. to listen to a radio or television broadcast:

      Listen in tomorrow for the names of the lottery winners.

    2. to overhear a conversation or communication, especially by telephone; eavesdrop:

      Someone was listening in to his private calls.

listen

/ ˈlɪsən /

verb

  1. to concentrate on hearing something
  2. to take heed; pay attention

    I told you many times but you wouldn't listen

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈlistener, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • listen·er noun
  • re·listen verb
  • un·listen·ing adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of listen1

First recorded before 950; Middle English lis(t)nen, Old English hlysnan; cognate with Middle High German lüsenen, Swedish lyssna; akin to list 5
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of listen1

Old English hlysnan; related to Old High German lūstrēn
Discover More

Synonym Study

See hear.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Even as he lay gravely ill in hospital in recent days, Ken Reid was listening to the news on the radio.

From BBC

But if you listen to the score, right from the opening moments composer Umberto Smerilli makes a bold declaration about what kind of movie it is: nervy, tempestuous, winking and just a little bit melodramatic.

He confesses humbly to being a little skeptical, makes a big show of wanting Geller to do well, invites him to return and try again, and as Geller struggles, Carson listens, waits patiently, acts baffled.

I could listen to Jackson croon “Song on the Sand” and “Look Over There” on an eternal loop.

The more you listen, the deeper the sound gets inside you.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


listellistenable