listen
/ˈlɪsən/
verb
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*hlusnijanan — to listen
Overview
Meaning Now
- To give attention to sound or action.
- To hear something with thoughtful attention; to heed or obey.
Literal older meaning
to hear, to attend to
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
hlysnan
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The verb descends from a root related to 'loud' and 'clear', reflecting the connection between something being audible and requiring attention. The silent 't' in modern pronunciation is a result of Middle English simplification of the 'stn' cluster.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*kleu-
“to hear”
Root for 'hear' and 'listen' across Indo-European languages.
- Proto-Germanic
*hlusnijanan
“to listen, to attend”
Reflexive/iterative formation from *hlysan.
- Old English
hlysnan
“to listen, hear, attend to”
- Middle English
listen
“to listen”
Spelling stabilized, lost the silent 't' pronunciation in some dialects, though typically kept in spelling.
Connections
Word parts
list-
root
to hear
-en
suffix
forming a verb
Related across languages
Old Norse
hlusta
to listen
German
lauschen
to eavesdrop, listen
Related words
Explore next
Related to listen
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.