not listening
Ignoring the speaker
Not listening describes the failure to pay attention to what someone is saying, whether through distraction, disinterest, or deliberate disregard.
It can be passive—a mind that wanders during a conversation—or active refusal to consider another's words: I told him three times, but he's just not listening.
The phrase often carries frustration or accusation, implying the listener should be paying attention but isn't.
- ignoringDeliberately not noticing
- not paying attentionFailing to focus
- deafUnable to hear
- tuning outDeliberately not hearing
- tuned outCeased to pay attention
in one ear out the other · distracted · zoning out · absent-minded · inattentive · oblivious · lost in thought · disregarding · dismissive · glazed · daydreaming · preoccupied · heedless · earbuds · on mute · blank stare · interrupting · talking over
- everyday mistakesslip, typos, trip, spelling errors, fall
- inattentiondistracted, spacing, absent-minded, distraction, obliviousness