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Synonyms

pay attention

Idioms  

  1. Heed, be attentive to, as in Now pay attention to these instructions. [Second half of 1700s]

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.

I learned to moderate my spending and pay attention.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

Like Wilkerson said—investors still need to pay attention, but they don’t have to overreact.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Nobody walking by — including me — slowed down to pay attention to them, beyond a glance.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

And unless voters pay attention, that plan just may pay off.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

I looked over at Joe and Espy, who pretended not to pay attention.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

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.