listen

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   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.

   Please listen carefully as I explain.

2. 2
   verb

   To accept advice or obey instruction; to agree or assent.

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

3. 3
   noun

   An instance of listening.

   Give the motor a listen and tell me if it sounds off.

4. 4
   verb

   hear with intention

5. 5
   verb

   listen and pay attention

6. 6
   verb

   pay close attention to

Etymology

From Middle English listenen, listnen, alteration (due to Middle English listen (“to listen, give heed to”)) of Old English hlysnan (“to listen”), from Proto-Germanic *hlusnijaną, *hlusnōną (compare Middle High German lüsenen), from Proto-Germanic *hlusēną (compare Old High German hlosēn), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlew- (“to hear”). Cognate with Swedish lyssna (“to listen”). Compare Ancient Greek κλαίω (klaíō, “to make known, famous”), Welsh clywed (“to hear”), Latin clueō (“to be famous”), Lithuanian klausýti, Old Church Slavonic слушати (slušati, “to hear”), Sanskrit श्रोषति (śróṣati, “an e…