listening/ˈlɪs.nɪŋ/EtymologyFrom Middle English listnynge, lustninde, from Old English hlysnende, equivalent to listen + -ing.listening means of something or someone that listens. Lexicurio rates it Distinctive — a strength score of 68 out of 100.adjOf something or someone that listens.“Any listening person can tell she's lying.”Of something that is used in order to hear or to improve the ability to hear.“He could hear better when he used his listening device.”Of an action that is performed with caution and attention to sounds.“The safest cover lay close under the wall of the cañon, and here through the dense thickets Venters made his slow, listening advance toward the oval.”nounAn act by which something or somebody is listened to.“This symphony grows on me more and more with each listening.”An educational exercise involving listening.“OK, students, today we're going to do a couple of listenings about the environment, then a reading about crime.”Skill or ability of perceiving spoken language.“You can improve your listening well by watching English-language films.”