listen
17 synonyms and 2 antonyms for listen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To pay attention with your ears in order to hear something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use listen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English hlysnan ("to listen"), from a Proto-Germanic root related to hearing — distantly connected to the modern word loud.
Full origin of listen →Frequently asked questions
What does “listen” mean?
The word “listen” means to pay attention with your ears in order to hear something. In plain terms, using your ears on purpose, or taking someone's advice.
How do you pronounce “listen”?
“Listen” is pronounced LIH-suhn (/ˈlɪsən/ in IPA).
How do you use “listen” in a sentence?
Here is “listen” used in a sentence: “She listened carefully to the instructions before starting the test.”
What is another word for “listen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “listen” include attend, be all ears, behear, earball, give ear and hark.
What is the opposite of “listen”?
The opposite of “listen” — its antonyms — are disregard and ignore.
What part of speech is “listen”?
“Listen” is a verb.
Where does the word “listen” come from?
The word “listen” comes from Old English. From Old English hlysnan ("to listen"), from a Proto-Germanic root related to hearing — distantly connected to the modern word loud.
Is “listen” a common word?
“Listen” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'listen' and 'hear'?
Hearing is passive: it is simply your ears detecting sound, which happens whether you intend it or not. Listening is active: you deliberately pay attention to make sense of what you hear. You can hear traffic in the background without listening to it, but you listen to someone by focusing on their words.
Can listening be improved as a skill?
Yes. Listening is a skill that improves with conscious effort. Techniques include giving your full attention, not interrupting, keeping eye contact, and summarising what the speaker said to check you understood. This approach, often called active listening, can be practised and strengthened, improving relationships, learning, and teamwork over time.
What is active listening?
Active listening means fully concentrating on a speaker rather than just passively taking in sound. It involves paying close attention, showing you are engaged through nods or short responses, avoiding interruptions, and reflecting back or asking questions to confirm understanding. It is widely taught in counselling, management, and communication training.
Why is listening important?
Listening is how we truly understand others, so it underpins learning, strong relationships, and good teamwork. Careful listening prevents misunderstandings, helps resolve conflict, and makes people feel valued and heard. In study and work it lets you absorb information accurately, which is why it is considered as vital as speaking.