First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1listen
verb lis·ten \ˈli-sən\
: to pay attention to someone or something in order to hear what is being said, sung, played, etc.
—used to tell a person to listen to what you are saying
: to hear what someone has said and understand that it is serious, important, or true
lis·tenedlis·ten·ing \ˈlis-niŋ, ˈli-sən-iŋ\
Full Definition of LISTEN
transitive verb
archaic : to give ear to : hear
intransitive verb
1
: to pay attention to sound <listen to music>
2
: to hear something with thoughtful attention : give consideration <listen to a plea>
3
: to be alert to catch an expected sound <listen for his step>
— lis·ten·er \ˈlis-nər, ˈli-sən-ər\ noun
See listen defined for English-language learners
See listen defined for kids
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Origin of LISTEN
Middle English listnen, from Old English hlysnan; akin to Sanskrit śroṣati he hears, Old English hlūd loud
Related to LISTEN
2listen
noun
: the act of listening to something
Full Definition of LISTEN
: an act of listening
See listen defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LISTEN
1788
Rhymes with LISTEN
LISTEN Defined for Kids
listen
verb lis·ten \ˈli-sən\
lis·tenedlis·ten·ing
Definition of LISTEN for Kids
1
: to pay attention in order to hear <Are you listening to me?>
2
: to hear and consider seriously <He listened to his father's advice.>
— lis·ten·er \ˈlis-nər, ˈli-sən-ər\ noun
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