harken: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (very low frequency; archaic/literary)Archaic, literary, poetic. Almost never used in everyday contemporary speech.
Quick answer
What does “harken” mean?
To listen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To listen; to pay attention.
To give heed or attention to something; to recall or return to a previous topic or point.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties treat it as archaic. 'Hark back' is more common than 'harken back' in modern British usage. American usage may see 'harken back' slightly more often in formal writing.
Connotations
Connotes old-fashioned style, formality, or a deliberate rhetorical flourish.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both. More likely found in historical novels, formal speeches, or poetic contexts than in any register of current dialogue.
Grammar
How to Use “harken” in a Sentence
[Subject] harkens to [Object (sound/advice)][Subject] harkens back to [Object (time/idea)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “harken” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Prime Minister urged the house to harken to the warnings of history.
- The design seems to harken back to a more elegant era.
American English
- The senator asked her colleagues to harken to the voices of their constituents.
- His speech harkened back to the ideals of the nation's founders.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, might appear in literary criticism or historical analysis (e.g., 'The novel harkens back to Victorian traditions').
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “harken”
- Using it in casual conversation. Confusing it with 'hark' (which is also archaic). Misspelling as 'hearken' (variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are variants. 'Hearken' is the older form. 'Harken' is a later variant, and both are now archaic. 'Hark back' is the most common modern form of the phrasal verb.
No. Using it would sound extremely old-fashioned, poetic, or deliberately pompous. Use 'listen to', 'pay attention to', or 'recall' instead.
Almost exclusively in the phrase 'harken back to' (or 'hark back to') meaning to recall or evoke an earlier style, idea, or period.
It is not merely formal; it is archaic. True formal register uses words like 'heed', 'attend', or 'consider'. 'Harken' belongs to a literary or historically stylistic register.
To listen.
Harken: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːk(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːrkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Harken back to (to recall or return to an earlier time or subject)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HARKen (hawk) with sharp ears, listening intently.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS TURNING ONE'S EAR; THE PAST IS A PLACE TO RETURN TO.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'harken' most appropriately used?