Definition of listen
listened
;listening
play \ˈlis-niŋ, ˈli-sən-iŋ\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
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Examples of listen in a Sentence
I listened as hard as I could, but I couldn't hear a word of what he said over all that noise.
She listened with interest as he told her about his travels.
She tried to warn him of the dangers, but he wouldn't listen.
Recent Examples of listen from the Web
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Listening to the intimate stories this Chicago MC weaves with her rhymes feels like sitting on a sunny stoop and catching up with an old friend.
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But in my estimation, Claremont McKenna was correct to impose some punishment on student protesters who denied others the ability to speak and listen.
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A few dozen Howard County citizens gathered on the evening before Independence Day to listen to their council members discuss and vote on various appointments and bills.
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For almost three hours, Shayna told anyone who would listen about an alleged history of abuse by Ryan...
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Urquhart; Deborah Jacobs, director of the King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight; and King County Executive Dow Constantine are scheduled to attend the forum to answer questions as well as listen to concerns about the June 13 shooting.
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Guests are encouraged to bring wine and cheese or a picnic to share while relaxing, listening to music and watching the sunset.
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Listen to our complete interview with Beth Elderkin, Sara Lynn Michener, and Charley Locke in Episode 263 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy (above).
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He and other district administrators listened to the veto override vote Thursday from their offices.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'listen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of listen
Middle English listnen, from Old English hlysnan; akin to Sanskrit śroṣati he hears, Old English hlūd loud
Recent Examples of listen from the Web
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The aim is necessarily eclectic: albums odd enough that the music-obsessed won’t already own them, but essential enough that even curious suburban parents would be justified in giving them a listen.
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Now, three years later, Hermida said the band as a whole has grown substantially and wants to share that growth with all willing to take a listen.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'listen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of listen
see 1listen
LISTEN Defined for English Language Learners
listen
playDefinition of listen for English Language Learners
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: to pay attention to someone or something in order to hear what is being said, sung, played, etc.
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—used to tell a person to listen to what you are saying
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: to hear what someone has said and understand that it is serious, important, or true
listen
Definition of listen for English Language Learners
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: the act of listening to something
LISTEN Defined for Kids
listen
playDefinition of listen for Students
listened
;listening
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.
listener
\ˈlis-nər, ˈli-sən-ər\ nounLearn More about listen
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See words that rhyme with listen Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for listen Spanish Central: Translation of listen Nglish: Translation of listen for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of listen for Arabic speakers
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