How do you use the word "listen" in a sentence?

Q: How do you use the word "listen" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "listen": If you don't listen to us, we will have to resort to coercion. Don't listen to him, he's talking nonsense.

Listen Meaning

/ˈlɪsən/

Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbTo 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.

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

Sentence Examples

If you don't listen to us, we will have to resort to coercion.

Don't listen to him, he's talking nonsense.

Listen! What's that noise? Can you hear it?

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

hear mind heed

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

Please ____ very carefully to the teacher's instructions before starting the exam.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

I like to ____ to classical music while I am working because it helps me to concentrate better today.

Word Origin & History

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 exclamation used in making an offering with fire to the gods or departed spirits”) & Sanskrit श्लोक्य (ślókya, “voice, sound, noisy”)). Related to loud and German lauschen.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"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." — 1906, Stanley J[ohn] Weyman, chapter I, in Chippinge Borough, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., →OCLC, page 01:

"He reined Wrangle to a walk, halted now and then to listen, and then proceeded cautiously with shifting and alert gaze." — 1912 January, Zane Grey, chapter 4, in Riders of the Purple Sage […], New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC:

"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." — 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:

"'But, sir, lyars ye have lystened, and that hath caused grete debate betwyxte you and me.'" — 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur, Book XX:

"Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say." — 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]:

Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words