listener

American  

[lis-uh-ner] / ˈlɪs ə nər /

noun

1. someone who gives attention with the ear, especially for the purpose of hearing specific sounds, speech, instructions, etc..

   At story time, you may choose to be a reader or a listener.

2. someone who listens to a radio broadcast or to a specific radio program.

   They attract teenage listeners with pop songs about first love.

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Etymology

Origin of listener

First recorded in 1600–20; listen ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

This point is underscored in the lawsuit itself, which shows any listener confusion was temporary.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

“And it’s here,” Ms. Applegate tells the listener, that “your devastated narrator slowly raises her hand to sadly admit to all three, and then some.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

After Barron’s Live, we asked Katie to address several listener and other questions—about the Magnificent Seven stocks, the Dow Jones transports, and the Cboe Volatility Index—that time didn’t permit during the call.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The rest of the band joins in as Ayewa calls for the listener to look up to a world above war, bitterness, and division.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

I haven’t been able to get my melodies or my lyrics to work, though, and don’t know if I’ll ever be able to make a listener feel what I do.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

Related Words

• audience