How Do You Spell LISTEN?

Pronunciation: [lˈɪsən] (IPA)

The word "listen" is spelled with six letters and pronounced as /ˈlɪs.ən/. The first sound is a voiceless alveolar stop /l/, followed by a central vowel /ɪ/ and then a voiceless alveolar fricative /s/. The final sound is a voiced dental nasal /n/. The spelling of the word "listen" follows the English orthographic system, where letters represent sounds in the spoken language. Understanding IPA phonetic transcription can help learners improve their pronunciation and spelling accuracy.

LISTEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Listen is a verb that refers to the act of paying attention or giving one's ear to sounds or words in order to comprehend or understand them. It involves actively focusing on the auditory sensory input received through the ears.

    When listening, individuals direct their mental and physical faculties towards receiving and interpreting the spoken or heard information. It implies a willingness to receive and process sounds, voices, or instructions, involving the reception and understanding of verbal or non-verbal messages.

    Listening involves more than just hearing; it encompasses attentiveness and concentration on the sounds or words conveyed. By actively listening, individuals dedicate their mental resources to hearing, understanding, and interpreting the information received. This engagement enables individuals to gain information, comprehend messages, and respond effectively.

    Active listening can be characterized by elements such as maintaining eye contact, refraining from interrupting, providing feedback, and demonstrating empathy. It is an essential skill within interpersonal communication, enhancing relationships, fostering better understanding, and promoting effective collaboration.

    Ultimately, listening is a conscious action that goes beyond the mere reception of sounds. It is an intentional effort to comprehend, interpret, and respond attentively to auditory stimuli, leading to enhanced mutual understanding and improved communication.

  2. To hearken; to give ear; to obey; to attend.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for LISTEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for LISTEN

Etymology of LISTEN

The word "listen" can be traced back to the Old English word "hlysnan", which means "to harken" or "to hear attentively". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "hlusnijan" and closely related to other Germanic languages such as Old High German "hlausen" and Old Norse "hlȳja". Ultimately, its origins can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "klu-", which means "to hear" or "to listen".

Idioms with the word LISTEN

  • see reason, at listen to reason The idiom "see reason" or "listen to reason" means to think or consider logically and sensibly, usually in order to change one's stubborn or irrational position or opinion. It implies being receptive to rational arguments or evidence and abandoning stubbornness or impractical ideas in favor of a more reasonable or sensible perspective.
  • listen to reason The idiom "listen to reason" means to be open-minded and receptive to logical arguments, facts, or advice. It implies being willing to consider and understand alternative viewpoints or perspectives, rather than stubbornly clinging to one's own opinion or beliefs.
  • stop, look, and listen The idiom "stop, look, and listen" means to pause, be aware of one's surroundings, and pay attention to what is happening or being said before making a decision or taking action. It emphasizes the importance of being observant, cautious, and attentive in order to avoid potential dangers or make informed choices.
  • listen up The idiom "listen up" is a phrase used to command or emphasize the importance of paying attention and focusing on what is being said. It is often used to get someone's full attention or to highlight that what will be said next is significant or crucial.
  • listen to sm or sth The idiom "listen to someone or something" means to pay attention to someone or something, particularly in order to hear and understand what they are saying or conveying. It implies actively engaging in hearing and comprehending the words or messages being communicated.
  • listen in The idiom "listen in" means to secretly or discreetly eavesdrop on a conversation or monitor a communication without the knowledge or permission of the participants.
  • listen for sm or sth The idiom "listen for something" means to actively pay attention or be alert in order to hear or perceive a particular sound or signal. It implies being attentive and focused, often in anticipation of a specific sound or occurrence.
  • listen with half an ear The idiom "listen with half an ear" means to pay only partial attention to someone or something. It suggests that the listener is not fully engaged or focused, and is only giving minimal or intermittent attention to what is being said.
  • listen (to someone or something) with half an ear The idiom "listen (to someone or something) with half an ear" means to listen inattentively or with only partial attention. It implies that the listener is not fully engaged or focused on what they are hearing. They might be distracted or not giving the speaker their full attention.
  • listen for someone or something The idiom "listen for someone or something" means to pay attention and be alert in order to hear a particular person or thing, often in a situation where they may be hard to distinguish or notice among other sounds or voices.
  • listen to someone or something The idiom "listen to someone or something" means to pay attention to, obey, or heed someone's words or advice, or to give attention to a particular thing or source of information. It implies actively being receptive and attentive to the ideas or suggestions being presented.
  • listen for The idiom "listen for" means to pay close attention or to be attentive in order to hear or detect something specific, such as a particular sound, signal, or message. It implies focusing one's hearing in anticipation of receiving or perceiving a specific thing.

Similar spelling words for LISTEN

Conjugate verb Listen

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have listened
you would have listened
he/she/it would have listened
we would have listened
they would have listened
I would have listen
you would have listen
he/she/it would have listen
we would have listen
they would have listen

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been listening
you would have been listening
he/she/it would have been listening
we would have been listening
they would have been listening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would listen
you would listen
he/she/it would listen
we would listen
they would listen

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be listening
you would be listening
he/she/it would be listening
we would be listening
they would be listening

FUTURE

I will listen
you will listen
he/she/it will listen
we will listen
they will listen

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be listening
you will be listening
he/she/it will be listening
we will be listening
they will be listening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have listened
you will have listened
he/she/it will have listened
we will have listened
they will have listened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been listening
you will have been listening
he/she/it will have been listening
we will have been listening
they will have been listening

IMPERATIVE

you listen
we let´s listen

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to listen

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was listening
you were listening
he/she/it was listening
we were listening
they were listening

PAST PARTICIPLE

listened

PAST PERFECT

I had listened
you had listened
he/she/it had listened
we had listened
they had listened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been listening
you had been listening
he/she/it had been listening
we had been listening
they had been listening

PRESENT

I listen
you listen
he/she/it listens
we listen
they listen

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am listening
you are listening
he/she/it is listening
we are listening
they are listening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

listening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have listened
you have listened
he/she/it has listened
we have listened
they have listened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been listening
you have been listening
he/she/it has been listening
we have been listening
they have been listening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it listen

SIMPLE PAST

I listened
you listened
he/she/it listened
we listened
they listened

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