Hearken
/ˈhɑːrkən/
verbC2
Definition
Hearken means to listen closely or give careful attention to a sound, message, or instruction. It is an old-fashioned word often found in stories, poems, or formal speech, rather than everyday conversation.
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See It in Action
To listen carefully or pay attention
- •Hearken to the wise words of your teacher.
- •The villagers hearkened to the old man's story by the fire.
- •You should hearken when someone gives you important advice.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "hearken" like "listen," but more serious and focused, like paying full attention to important news or advice.
- ✓Picture a person stopping everything to really hear a quiet but important message, like a secret or warning.
- ✓It's the feeling when you lean in to catch every word during a story or when someone says something very important.
- ✓Sounds like "HARK-en" → Imagine someone shouting "Hark!" (an old word to listen) and you turn your ear to catch the sound.
- ✓In old stories or fairy tales, characters often say "Hearken!" to make others listen carefully before something important happens.
- ✓NOT like "hear" (which means just to notice sound), "hearken" means to actively listen and pay attention.
- ✓NOT like "ignore," which means to not listen at all.
Try Other Words
- •Listen: to give attention to sound or speech (Use in everyday conversation)
- •Attend: to pay close attention (Use in formal contexts)
- •Heed: to pay careful attention, especially to advice or warning (Use when emphasizing careful attention or following instructions)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (Old English root, no clear prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English "heorcian" or "harkian," meaning to listen
- •Historical development: Used in Middle and Early Modern English, common in poetry and religious texts
- •Modern usage: Now mostly poetic or formal, often in literature or dramatic speech
- •Key insight: It is a stronger, more focused form of listening, often with respect or urgency
Reflect & Connect
•How does the word "hearken" change the feeling of a sentence compared to just "listen"?
•Can you think of a situation where using "hearken" would make your message more powerful or serious?
Fill in the blanks
1.When the king spoke, all the people ___ to his every word because it was very important.
2.The poem began with "Hearken!" to ___ the listener's full attention.
3.Unlike just hearing noise, to hearken means to ___ carefully and understand.
4.The warning was so serious that everyone had to ___ closely and act quickly.
5.In stories, characters often hearken before ___ a secret or prophecy.
6.You should always hearken to advice from someone who has ___ experience.
7.The old man’s voice was soft, so the children had to ___ carefully to catch every word.