liston: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1 (Extremely high frequency)Neutral, used across all registers from casual to formal.
Quick answer
What does “liston” mean?
to pay attention to a sound or person speaking in order to hear what is being said.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to pay attention to a sound or person speaking in order to hear what is being said.
To take notice of and act on what someone says; to consider advice or a warning. Also used in computing to describe a server waiting for a connection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Minor potential for variation in prepositions (e.g., 'listen to the radio' is standard in both). The spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. The imperative "Listen!" is equally forceful in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “liston” in a Sentence
listen to [noun phrase]listen for [noun phrase]listen [intransitive]listen + adverb (carefully, closely)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “liston” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You should listen to your GP's advice.
- Let's listen to the cricket commentary.
- Listen, I haven't got all day.
American English
- You need to listen to your doctor's orders.
- Let's listen to the baseball game.
- Listen, I don't have all day.
adjective
British English
- A listening device was found.
- She has a very listening manner.
American English
- A listening device was discovered.
- She has a very attentive, listening demeanor.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We need to listen to customer feedback to improve our product."
Academic
"The researcher must listen critically to the interview recordings."
Everyday
"Could you listen for the doorbell while I'm in the shower?"
Technical
"The server socket is configured to listen on port 8080."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “liston”
- Omitting 'to' (Incorrect: Listen me. Correct: Listen to me.)
- Using 'listen' where 'hear' is meant (Incorrect: I listened a noise. Correct: I heard a noise.)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Hear' is the physical ability to perceive sound, often involuntary. 'Listen' is the deliberate, focused action of paying attention to a sound or speaker. You can hear a noise without listening to it.
When 'listen' has a direct object (the thing or person you are paying attention to), 'to' is required (e.g., listen to me, listen to the radio). 'Listen' can be used alone without 'to' (e.g., Listen! I'm talking to you).
It means to listen to a conversation, especially one you are not a part of, often secretly. It can also mean tuning into a radio broadcast or online stream.
Yes. In computing, a server or port 'listens' for incoming connections or data packets. It describes a state of readiness to receive communication.
to pay attention to a sound or person speaking in order to hear what is being said.
Liston is usually neutral, used across all registers from casual to formal. in register.
Liston: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɪs(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɪs(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Listen up!”
- “Listen to reason”
- “Be listening for”
- “Listen in on”
- “On listen (chiefly Scottish)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'LIST'. To LISTEN, you make a mental LIST of what you are hearing.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS A RECEPTACLE ("I'm all ears"), UNDERSTANDING IS GRASPING ("I didn't catch that").
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most grammatically correct sentence?