A1verb1K

Listen

UK /["/ˈlɪsn/","/ˈlɪsnz/","/ˈlɪsnd/","/ˈlɪsnɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈlɪsn/","/ˈlɪsnz/","/ˈlɪsnd/","/ˈlɪsnɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to pay attention to somebody/something that you can hear

In simple words: to hear something carefully

Examples

  • Please listen carefully to the instructions.
  • Did you listen to the new song by that artist?
  • It's important to listen when others are speaking.
  • I like to listen to podcasts while I exercise.
  • Can you listen for the bell and tell me when it rings?

Usage notes

Use 'listen' when you want to indicate paying attention to sounds. It's appropriate in most contexts, but avoid using it in very casual speech, where 'hear' might be more common.

Grammar pattern

listen + to + object

Memory hint

Think of 'listen' as 'listening in' closely to what people are saying.

Collocations

  • actively
  • attentively
  • carefully
  • will
  • would
  • not bother to
  • for
  • to
  • listen with one ear
  • actively
  • attentively
  • carefully
  • will
  • would
  • not bother to
  • for
  • to
  • listen with one ear

Synonyms

  • hear
  • pay attention
  • tune in
  • hearken
  • eavesdrop

Antonyms

  • ignore
  • disregard

Common mistakes

  • 'Listen' is often confused with 'hear' — remember, 'listen' means paying attention.
  • 'Listening' as a noun can be incorrectly used as 'listen' in wrong contexts.
  • Learners may omit 'to' and say 'listen music' instead of 'listen to music'.