listen
To actively pay attention to sound or speech.
Word facts
Definition
To listen means to give your attention to sounds or to what someone is saying. Unlike hearing, listening is active and intentional — you are choosing to pay attention.
Usage: Hear is passive — sounds reach your ears without effort. Listen is active — you choose to pay attention. 'I heard a noise' vs 'I listened to the lecture'.
Example sentences
- 1
Please listen carefully before you ask questions.
- 2
She is a wonderful listener who makes people feel heard.
- 3
He listened to music while he worked.
Word family
From Old English hlysnan ('to listen'), related to hlōwan ('to bellow') and hlystan. The t is silent in the modern pronunciation.
Listen contains 'silent' — rearrange the letters of LISTEN and you get SILENT. To really listen, you must be silent.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the difference between listen and hear?
Hearing is passive — it happens automatically. Listening is active — you pay deliberate attention.
Is the t in listen silent?
Yes. Listen is pronounced LIS-en. The t is silent, like in often and fasten.