Definition of listen

Email this page to a friend

< listel

listenable >

lis·ten    (lsn) KEY 

intr.v.
lis·tened, lis·ten·ing, lis·tens

1. To make an effort to hear something: listen to the radio; listening for the bell.
2. To pay attention; heed: "She encouraged me to listen carefully to what country people called mother wit" (Maya Angelou).

NOUN:

An act of listening: Would you like to give the CD a listen before buying it?

PHRASAL VERB:
listen in

1. To listen to a conversation between others; eavesdrop.
2. To tune in and listen to a broadcast.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English listenen, alteration (influenced by listen, to list, listen; see list⁴), of Old English hlysnan; see kleu- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
listen·er(Noun)