hearken

or hark·en

[ hahr-kuhn ]

verb (used without object)

1. Literary. to give heed or attention to what is said; listen.

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to listen to; hear.

hearken

/ ˈhɑːkən /

verb

1. archaic.
   to listen to (something)

Derived Forms

• ˈhearkener, noun

Other Words From

• hearken·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearken¹

1150–1200; Middle English hercnen, Old English he ( o ) rcnian, suffixed form of assumed *heorcian; hark, -en ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearken¹

Old English heorcnian; see hark

Example Sentences

It sounded strange, like a song out of time — Melanie said she intended it to hearken to the 1930s — sung with what could now be called a warbling “indie girl voice.”

From New York Times

Just a few years later, Al Gore was criticized by some for attempting to hearken to Humphrey’s approach in the 1992 election.

From Salon

In February, local artist Soo Hong showcases a series of paintings on translucent surfaces, fluid and colorful explosions that hearken back to Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee but feel completely contemporary and original.

From Seattle Times

Brussels, the de facto capital of the EU, employs methods against Hungary that hearken back to the days of Soviet domination by Moscow, he said.

From Washington Times

Products that hearken back to childhood “may be really attractive to new parents because it brings this sense of stability and groundedness, authenticity, social connection,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times