Meaning of listen | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To use one's sense of hearing and auditory cognition in an intentional way; to make deliberate use of one's ears; to pay attention to or wait for a specific sound.
2. To accept advice or obey instruction; to agree or assent.
   intransitive

Equivalents

Examples

“Please⟳ listen⟳ carefully as I explain⟳.”

“I could hear⟳ you talking upstairs, but I didn’t really listen⟳ to your conversation.”

“It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street.[…]. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face⟳ turned skywards, listened until the sound⟳ of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.”

“He reined Wrangle to a walk⟳, halted now and then to listen⟳, and then proceeded cautiously with shifting and alert gaze.”

“He read⟳ the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement.”

“(transitive, archaic) Listen⟳ the watchman’s cry⟳ upon the wall.”

“'But, sir, lyars ye have⟳ lystened, and that hath caused grete debate⟳ betwyxte you and me.'”

“Lady, vouchsafe to listen⟳ what I say⟳.”

“Here laid his Scrip, with wholesome Viands fill'd, / There, listening every Noise, his watchful Dog.”

“[with to] I like⟳ to listen⟳ to music.”

“I'm listening to what you say⟳ / Even though I look⟳ the other way / But you could never understand⟳ / The feeling of what I'm needing”

“[with for] You should listen⟳ for the starting gun.”

“Listen⟳, the only reason⟳ I yelled at you was because I was upset⟳, OK?”

“Good children listen⟳ to their parents.”

“Never listen⟳ when they tell⟳ you that Man and the animals have⟳ a common interest⟳[…].”

CEFR level