hearken

or hark·en

[ hahr-kuhn ]

verb (used without object)

1. Literary. to give heed or attention to what is said; listen.

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to listen to; hear.

hearken

/ ˈhɑːkən /

verb

1. archaic.
   to listen to (something)

Derived Forms

• ˈhearkener, noun

Other Words From

• hearken·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearken¹

1150–1200; Middle English hercnen, Old English he ( o ) rcnian, suffixed form of assumed *heorcian; hark, -en ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearken¹

Old English heorcnian; see hark

Example Sentences

These non-aligned nations don’t hearken to America’s frequent invocation of the “free world.”

From Time

There’s a huge amount of ’90s nostalgia at play — AriZona iced tea’s jackets with the brand’s classic patterns and Pizza Hut’s plastic red cups are meant to hearken back to the decade that’s just so trendy right now.

From Eater

In time, perhaps, “people… may then begin to think more coolly about this Matter, and hearken a little to Reason and Demonstration.”

From Time

The so-called People’s Ordinance hearkens back to 1919, when 85 percent of voters supported a measure mandating that the city collect trash from homes and allowed city leaders to levy fees for it.

From Voice of San Diego

Hearken to the bleating of newborn two-headed freak candidacy lambs.

From The Daily Beast

And hearken to this latest warning by Kevin Sabet: cigarettes are legal, yet organized crime syndicates still smuggle them.

From The Daily Beast

I hope you'll find it entertaining, but even more that you'll hearken to its message.

From The Daily Beast

The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken diligently.

From Project Gutenberg

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel who are carried by my bowels, are borne up by my womb.

From Project Gutenberg

Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be delighted in fatness.

From Project Gutenberg

And I appointed watchmen over you, saying: Hearken ye to the sound of the trumpet.

From Project Gutenberg

Hearken not to the words of the prophets that say to you: You shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they tell you a lie.

From Project Gutenberg