# listening

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈlɪs.nɪŋ/ · frequency rank #2,218

## Definitions
1. Of something or someone that listens.
2. Of something that is used in order to hear or to improve the ability to hear.
3. Of an action that is performed with caution and attention to sounds.

## Etymology
From Middle English listnynge, lustninde, from Old English hlysnende, equivalent to listen + -ing.

## Easily confused with
- **listing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/listening-vs-listing)
- **lightening** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lightening-vs-listening)

## Common misspellings (14)
`ilstening`, `lisetning`, `lisstening`, `listeinng`, `listenign`, `listeningg`, `listeninng`, `listennig`, `listenning`, `listneing`, `listtening`, `litsening`, `llistening`, `lsitening`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/listening