What does “listen” mean?
- 1
verbto pay attention to sounds or to what someone says
I like to listen to music while I cook.
- 2
verbto accept someone’s advice
I told him to slow down, but he wouldn’t listen.
Listen at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /ˈlɪsən/ · LIS-un
How to use “listen” correctly
The “t” is silent. Use “listen to” before an object: “listen to the radio”, not “listen the radio”.
Common phrases with “listen”
- listen to sb/sth
- listen carefully
- listen for sth
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- hear
- pay attention
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- ignore
Word family
- listener
“listen” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- ask verbA1to say or write a question to get information
- call verbA1to phone someone
- describe verbA1to say or write what someone or something is like
- draw verbA1to make a picture with a pen or pencil
- hear verbA1to notice sounds with your ears
- read verbA1to look at written words and understand them
- say verbA1to speak words, or to express a thought or opinion
- send verbA1to make something go to a person or place, for example by mail or email