listen
listen
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "listen" is /ˈlɪs.ən/.
/ˈlɪs/
/ən/
Word Form Variations
Verb: listen (base form), listens (third person singular present), listening (present participle), listened (past simple, past participle)
Noun: listen (informal, often in the phrase "have a listen") - no plural in this informal use; listens (rarely used as a plural noun, primarily in computing contexts like "port listens")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To give attention with the ear to what someone is saying or to a sound that can be heard.
Synonyms: hear, attend, pay attention, hark, heed
Antonyms: ignore, disregard, tune out, pay no attention, dismiss
Definition 2: To make an effort to hear; to be alert to sound.
Synonyms: eavesdrop, overhear (if unintentional), monitor, catch (a sound)
Antonyms: disregard, be deaf to, tune out
Definition 3: To pay attention to advice or an instruction; to obey.
Synonyms: obey, heed, follow, mind, comply with
Antonyms: disobey, disregard, ignore, defy, rebel against
Definition 4: (Followed by "for") To await or expect a sound.
Synonyms: await, expect, anticipate, wait for
Antonyms: disregard, be unaware of, miss
Noun
Definition 1 (informal): An act of listening or a period of listening.
Synonyms: hearing, audition, earful, observation
Antonyms: silence, unresponsiveness, inattention
Examples of Use
Books:
"He sat by the window, trying to listen for the faint sound of her footsteps on the gravel path." (Fictional example from a suspense or romance novel)
"To effectively mediate, one must truly listen to both sides of the argument, not just hear the words." (From a non-fiction book on conflict resolution)
"The first rule of improv is to listen to your scene partner and build on their ideas." (From a book on acting or creative arts)
Newspapers:
"The government urged citizens to listen to public health advisories regarding the ongoing seasonal flu." ("The Standard,")
"Analysts are keen to listen to the central bank's announcement on interest rates next week." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"Despite repeated warnings, some motorists still refuse to listen to traffic rules, leading to accidents." ("Daily Nation,")
Online Publications:
"How to actively listen: A crucial skill for effective communication." (An article on a professional development blog, e.g., "Harvard Business Review Online,")
"Click here to listen to our exclusive interview with the CEO on the future of AI." (A prompt on a news website or podcast platform, e.g., "TechCrunch,")
"We're always here to listen to your feedback and improve our services." (A customer service statement on a company's website, e.g., "Google Support,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Just listen to me! I know what I'm talking about!" (Common dialogue in an urgent or desperate scene, e.g., Inception)
Television Series: "Now, class, listen closely as I explain this complex theorem." (A teacher character's line in an educational or school-themed show, e.g., The Big Bang Theory)
Song Lyrics: "Listen, do you hear that? The sound of silence." (Inspired by Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence," 1964)
Video Games: "You must listen for the faint whispers in the dungeon to find the secret passage." (In-game instruction or hint, e.g., The Legend of Zelda)
Podcasts: "Thanks for tuning in! We love it when you listen and share our episodes." (A podcast host's closing remarks, e.g., "The Daily")
General Public Discourse:
"Can you listen to the baby for a minute while I take a quick call?" (A request to a family member)
"Listen, I need to tell you something important." (Used to get someone's attention)
"He never seems to listen to advice, that's why he keeps making the same mistakes." (A complaint about someone's behavior)
"I love to listen to music while I'm working." (A statement about a personal preference)
"Are you even listening to me?" (A frustrated question indicating perceived inattention)
10 Famous Quotes Using Listen
"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." – Stephen R. Covey
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." – Shel Silverstein
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." – Winston Churchill
"God gave us a mouth that closes and ears that don’t — that must tell us something." – Eugene O'Neill
"If you make listening and observation your occupation, you will gain much more than you can by talk." – Robert Baden-Powell
"Listen. People start to heal the moment they feel heard." – Cheryl Richardson
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable." – David W. Augsburger
"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen." – Ernest Hemingway
"To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well." – John Marshall
"The art of conversation lies in listening." – Malcom Forbes
Etymology
The word "listen" comes from Old English.
Specifically, it derives from the Old English verb hlysnan (or lysna), which already meant "to listen," "to hear," "to attend to," or "to obey."
This Old English word has even deeper roots in Proto-Germanic (hlusnijaną or hlusnōną) and ultimately traces back to an ancient Proto-Indo-European root (ḱlew-), which meant "to hear." This shared ancient root is why you'll find similar-sounding words related to "hearing" in many other Indo-European languages.
The first known use of "listen" in English, with the meaning of "to give attention with the ear to a sound," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). The subtle distinction between merely "hearing" (a physiological act) and "listening" (an active, intentional mental process) has been present in the word's meaning from very early on.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Listen
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "listen":
To listen in: To secretly hear a private conversation.
To listen up! (Informal command) Pay attention!
To listen out for (something): To be alert to hear a particular sound.
To listen to reason: To be persuaded by logical arguments or good sense.
To listen with half an ear: To listen inattentively or carelessly.
To listen to the rumblings: To pay attention to early signs of discontent or trouble. (Lesser-known, but common concept)
Don't listen to him/her/them: Do not believe or be influenced by what someone is saying.
Listen to your gut: Trust your intuition or instincts.
To lend an ear: To listen sympathetically and attentively. (Synonym for "listen closely")
All ears: Eager and ready to listen.
To have a good ear for (something): To be skilled at hearing or discerning certain sounds (e.g., music, languages).
To give an attentive ear: To listen carefully. (Synonym for "listen attentively")
To tune in: To listen to a broadcast or pay attention to something. (Similar effect to "listen")
To hang on every word: To listen very carefully and intently to everything someone says.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of listen from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
