intr.v. lis·tened, lis·ten·ing, lis·tens 1. To make an effort to hear something: listen to the radio; listen for the bell that ends class. 2. To pay attention; heed: “She encouraged me to listen carefully to what country people called mother wit” (Maya Angelou). n. Phrasal Verb: An act of listening: Would you like to give the CD a listen before buying it? listen in Idiom: 1. To listen to a conversation between others; eavesdrop. 2. To tune in and listen to a broadcast. listen up Used as command to get a group or individual to pay attention: Listen up, everyone—we have to evacuate! [Middle English listenen, alteration (influenced by listen, to list, listen; see LIST4) of Old English hlysnan; see kleu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] listen·er n. |
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