American English
/ˈlɪ.sə.nɪŋ/
3 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of listen
Paying attention to a sound, music, or words so that you can hear and understand them.
“Listening” is commonly pronounced /ˈlɪ.sə.nɪŋ/, and many speakers make the middle vowel very short: /ˈlɪs.nɪŋ/.
Paying attention to a sound, music, or words so that you can hear and understand them.
The children are listening to a story.
I am listening carefully to your question.
Use listening to before a person or thing, as in listening to music.
Accepting advice or instructions from someone and acting on them.
She is listening to her doctor and taking the medicine.
By listening to his coach's advice, he improved quickly.
Paying attention and waiting so that you can hear a particular sound.
They are listening for the doorbell.
We were listening for footsteps outside.
The activity or skill of paying close attention to sounds, music, or spoken words.
Listening is an important communication skill.
Good listening helps people solve problems.
pay attention, especially because someone is about to give information or instructions
Listen up, everyone—we're starting now.