heed
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
noun
verb
Usage
What does heed mean? To heed something is to listen to it, pay careful attention to it, or otherwise observe or acknowledge it in some way—and often to take action on it. To heed a warning is to listen to it and do what it says to do (or not do what it says not to do). To heed a request is honor it—to do what is requested. To heed calls for reform is to acknowledge them, and, sometimes, to actually follow through and make reforms. Heed can also be used as a noun meaning careful attention or observation. It’s most often used in the phrases take heed, give heed, and pay heed, which all mean to listen or pay attention, as in Take heed to what he says, for he is very wise. To pay no heed to someone is to disregard or ignore them. The adjective unheeded means disregarded, despite having been heard or noted. An unheeded warning is one that has been ignored. Example: I should have heeded your warnings, but instead I ignored them.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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heedfulnessnoun
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heedernoun
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unheedinglyadverb
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unheededlyadverb
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heedfullyadverb
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unheedingadjective
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unheededadjective
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heedfuladjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have heededperfect
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has heededperfect 3rd person singular
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have been heedingperfect progressive
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is heedingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are heedingprogressive
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heedingparticiple
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has been heedingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am heedingprogressive 1st person singular
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heedssingular 3rd person
Past
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had heededperfect
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was heedingprogressive singular
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were heedingprogressive plural
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had been heedingperfect progressive
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heededsimple
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heededparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of heed
First recorded before 900; Middle English heden, Old English hēdan; cognate with German hüten “to guard, protect”; akin to hood 1
Explanation
Heed is an old word, meaning "to listen to and follow." It can also be used as a noun: "Take heed of my instructions," said the wizard, "for the magic potion will work only by the light of the full moon." The most common use of heed is with warnings, as in "You'd better heed my advice, or you'll be in serious trouble!" The word derives from Old English hēdan and is related to the Dutch hoeden and German hüten — from Germanic cultures where fairy tales with mysterious warnings and magical consequences abound.
Vocabulary lists containing heed
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Heed the Oracle of Omaha: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Heed your intuition: Suspicions often signal a genuine concern.
From Salon • Sep. 26, 2024
“California is coordinating with federal and local governments to support communities as they prepare for this unprecedented storm. Heed warnings from local authorities, be ready and stay informed.”
From Washington Times • Aug. 19, 2023
Heed my life well, the fan palm warned me, as the joggers who passed by paid little attention.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2022
‘Now is the time for resting. Some things are ill to hear when the world’s in shadow. Sleep till the morning-light, rest on the pillow! Heed no nightly noise! Fear no grey willow!’
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
