listen
Lend an ear
To listen is to pay attention to sound—someone speaking, music playing, a noise in the distance.
Unlike hearing, which happens automatically, listening implies active attention: I heard the words but wasn't really listening.
To listen to advice or warnings is to heed them.
Listen by itself can introduce something important: Listen, I need to tell you something.
A good listener gives others their full attention.
Perceive by ear
- soundAudible wave phenomenon
- musicOrganized auditory art
- podcastEpisodic digital audio series
- radioElectromagnetic wave receiver
audiobook · album · track · playlist · stream · broadcast · stereo · headphones
Concentrated attention point
- concentrateReduced, potent form
- heedGive careful attention
- attentivePaying close notice
- mindfulConsciously attentive
engaged · absorbed · alert · intent · earnest · rapt · receptive · present
Follow commands given
- heedGive careful attention
- complyFollow rules or requests
- followGo behind another
- mindSeat of consciousness
respect · defer · submit · yield · adhere · abide · attend · regard
Exchange of spoken ideas
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- discussTalk about thoroughly
- understandGrasp the meaning
- empathizeFeel what others feel
counsel · confide · advise · support · mediate · interview · consult · debrief
hear
Perceive by ear
radio · audiobook · album · track · playlist · stream · broadcast · stereo · headphones · earbuds
focus
Concentrated attention point
- concentrateReduced, potent form
- heedGive careful attention
- attentivePaying close notice
mindful · engaged · absorbed · alert · intent · earnest · rapt · receptive · present · open-eared
obey
Follow commands given
mind · respect · defer · submit · yield · adhere · abide · attend · regard · accept
conversation
Exchange of spoken ideas
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- discussTalk about thoroughly
- understandGrasp the meaning
empathize · counsel · confide · advise · support · mediate · interview · consult · debrief · sounding-board
eavesdrop
Listen to private conversations
monitor · surveil · overhear · intercept · snoop · spy · record · audit · intelligence · covert
understand
Grasp the meaning
process · discern · follow · catch · pick-up · take-in · register · digest · apprehend · perceive
- soundsound, sound waves, echoes, acoustics, vibrations
- soundssound, beeps, sounds, hear, buzzes
- helpingaid, assist, give a hand, help, helping hand
- regular verbswalk, walked, talk, talked, play
- hearingear, cochlea, hearing loss, deaf, hearing test
- perceptionsee, vision, seeing, senses, observing
- listening to musicAttending to organized sound
- listen upCommand for attention
- not listeningFailing to attend
- listen inMonitor others' conversations covertly
- listening inSecretly hearing others speak
- listened inMonitored others' conversation secretly
listening, listener, listens, listened, listeners, relisten, listenable, relistened, listen in