To pay attention to sounds or hear someone speak with the intent to understand what they're saying.
From Old English hlysnan, related to 'list' (to lean toward, to hear). The word originally meant to lean toward or incline toward, capturing the physical idea of turning your ear to hear something.
Most people think they're listening but they're actually just waiting for their turn to talk—studies show people remember only about 25% of what they hear, but improve to 75% if they actively listen with intent to teach it to someone else.
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