Definition of “listen” - English Dictionary

American
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“listen” in English

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listenverb [ I ]

uk ​ /ˈlɪs.ən/ us ​ /ˈlɪs.ən/

A1 to give attention to someone or something in order to hear him, her, or it:

What kind of music do you listen to?
She does all the talking - I just sit and listen.
You haven't listened to a word I've said!
We listened in silence as the names of the dead were read out.
Listen, we really need to submit our insurance claim this weekend.
Listen to this! You can win a car just by answering three simple questions.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

listen
noun [ S ] uk ​ us ​

›

Have a listen to this! I've never heard anything like it before.

Grammar

Hear or listen (to)?‘Hearing’ is an event; it is something which happens to us as a natural process. ‘Listening’ is an action; it is something we do consciously. …

Phrasal verb(s)

listen in on sth/sb
listen out for sth
listen up

(Definition of “listen” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“listen” in American English

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listenverb [ I ]

us ​ /ˈlɪs·ən/

› to give attention to something you can hear or to a person who is speaking:

Can you really listen to music while you do your homework?
Listen, we really need to do something about having this place painted.
listener
noun [ C ] us ​ /ˈlɪs·ə·nər/

›

For many listeners, the music of the Beatles summed up the sentiments of the 1960s.

Phrasal verb(s)

listen in (on something)

(Definition of “listen” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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