- listen
- [[t]lɪ̱s(ə)n[/t]]
♦♦listens, listening, listened1) VERB If you listen to someone who is talking or to a sound, you give your attention to them or it.
[V to n] He spent his time listening to the radio...
Sonia was not listening.
Derived words:listener plural N-COUNTOne or two listeners had fallen asleep while the President was speaking.
2) VERB If you listen for a sound, you keep alert and are ready to hear it if it occurs.[V for n] We listen for footsteps approaching...
They're both asleep upstairs, but you don't mind listening just in case of trouble, do you?
Listen out means the same as listen. [BRIT]Also V P
V P for n I didn't really listen out for the lyrics.3) VERB If you listen to someone, you do what they advise you to do, or you believe them.[V to n] Anne, you need to listen to me this time...
When I asked him to stop, he would not listen.
4) CONVENTION You say listen when you want someone to pay attention to you because you are going to say something important.Listen, I finish at one.
Syn:5) CONVENTION You say listen up when you want someone to listen to what you are going to say. [AM, SPOKEN]Okay, listen up, guys. We've got to talk a little about how you look.
6) CONVENTION (feelings) You say listen here when you are going to say something important to someone, especially when you are angry at what they have done or said.Listen here, young lady. Don't you call me that!
Phrasal Verbs:Syn:look here
English dictionary. 2008.
