listen
A1 (extremely high frequency, core vocabulary)Neutral (appropriate in all contexts from formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
To give attention to sound; to hear with intention.
To pay attention in order to understand, respond, or comply; to follow advice; to be receptive to something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Listen" implies intentional, active attention to sound, unlike "hear" which can be passive or involuntary. Often used with "to". In imperative, it can signal an important announcement or the start of a conversation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The imperative "Listen up!" is slightly more common in AmE. The expression "listen out for" (to be alert to hear something) is more characteristically BrE.
Connotations
Similar across both varieties. The noun 'a listen' (e.g., 'Give it a listen') is slightly more informal but accepted in both.
Frequency
Extremely high and stable in both varieties with no significant frequency differences.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
listen (intransitive)listen to + objectlisten for + objectlisten to + object + verblisten + adverb (e.g., listen carefully)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Listen up!”
- “Listen to reason”
- “Be all ears”
- “Listen to your gut”
- “Fall on deaf ears”
- “Hear someone out”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We need to listen to customer feedback to improve our product." (Active, strategic attention)
Academic
"The researcher must listen critically to the recorded interviews." (Analytical attention)
Everyday
"Can you listen for the doorbell while I'm in the shower?" (Practical attention)
Technical
"The sonar operator listens for echoes to determine depth." (Specialised, detection-focused attention)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You should listen to the weather forecast before your walk.
- I was listening out for the postman.
- Listen, we need to talk about this.
American English
- You should listen to the weather report before your hike.
- Just listen to this new song, it's great.
- Listen up, everyone! The meeting is starting.
adverb
British English
- He nodded listeningly as she explained.
American English
- She leaned forward listeningly, captivated by the story.
adjective
British English
- The listening device was hidden in the lamp.
- She has excellent listening skills.
American English
- The listening device was concealed in the lamp.
- Active listening is key to good communication.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Listen! The phone is ringing.
- I like to listen to music.
- Please listen to the teacher.
- Could you listen for the timer? I'm in the garden.
- He never listens to my advice.
- We listened to the announcement carefully.
- The government must listen to the concerns of its citizens.
- I was listening to a fascinating podcast about space.
- If you'd listened more closely, you would have understood.
- The counsellor listened empathetically, without offering immediate solutions.
- She has a knack for listening to the subtext of what people say.
- The court listened to the defendant's testimony with great scepticism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'TEN' in 'listen'. You need your 'TEN' (10) senses to listen well? No, you just need your ears, but the word has a silent 'T' you must listen for.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS HEARING ("I hear what you're saying"), ATTENTION IS A RECEPTACLE ("I'm all ears").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с "слышать" (hear). "Listen" = слушать (направленное действие). "Listen to me!" = "Слушай меня!", а не "Услышь меня!"
- После "listen" требуется предлог "to" (слушать ЧТО-ТО/КОГО-ТО).
- Перевод существительного "a listen" (прослушивание) часто требует перефразирования.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *"Listen me." Correct: "Listen to me."
- Incorrect: *"I am listening the news." Correct: "I am listening to the news."
- Confusing "listen" (active) with "hear" (passive).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'listen' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
"Hear" is the passive, physical ability to perceive sound. "Listen" is the active, intentional act of paying attention to a sound. You can hear something without listening (e.g., background noise), and you can listen but not hear (if it's too quiet).
"Listen" is typically intransitive; it does not take a direct object. The preposition "to" introduces the object of attention (what or whom you are paying attention to). The structure is 'listen + to + object'.
Yes, informally. For example: 'Give this song a listen.' or 'I had a quick listen to the recording.' It is more common in spoken than formal written English.
It can be both. Gerund (noun): "Listening is an important skill." Present participle (verb/adj.): "She is listening." or "He has a listening device." Context determines its function.