attention

/ə'tenʃn/

Thân thiện

The soldier stands at attention during the morning inspection.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A state of focused mental concentration: The act or power of directing one's mind to a specific object, thought, or activity.
   • Consideration or notice: The act of treating something or someone as interesting or important.
   • Care or treatment: The provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, or maintenance of someone or something.
   • A courteous or affectionate act: (Often plural) Acts of kindness or consideration that show affection or regard.
   • A military posture: A stiff, upright stance with arms at the sides and feet together, used as a formal position of readiness or respect.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Mental Concentration):
  • This task requires your full attention.
  • He listened with rapt attention.
• Noun (Notice/Consideration):
  • The issue has come to public attention.
  • She likes being the center of attention.
• Noun (Care/Treatment):
  • The patient requires immediate medical attention.
  • This old machine needs constant attention.
• Noun (Courteous Acts):
  • He showered her with little attentions, like bringing her coffee.
• Noun (Military Posture):
  • The soldiers snapped to attention when the general entered.

Advanced Usage

• "to pay attention (to)": To listen to, watch, or consider something or someone carefully.
  • Please pay attention to the safety instructions.
• "to attract/draw attention (to)": To make people notice something.
  • The bright colors are meant to attract attention.
• "to hold someone's attention": To keep someone interested.
  • The speaker's story held the audience's attention for an hour.
• "for the attention of (FAO)": A phrase used on documents to indicate the intended recipient.
  • The memo was marked 'For the attention of the department head.'

Variants and Related Words

• Attentive (adjective): Paying close attention; observant.
  • He was an attentive student.
• Attend (verb): To be present at; to pay attention to; to take care of.
  • She will attend the meeting. / Nurses attend to the wounded.
• Attention span (noun phrase): The length of time one can concentrate on a task.
  • Children often have a short attention span.

Synonyms

• Heed: To pay attention to (more formal).
• Notice: The fact of observing or paying attention to something.
• Care: The provision of what is necessary for health or protection.
• Consideration: Careful thought, typically over a period of time.

Related Phrases

• Stand at attention: To assume the formal military posture.
  • The guards stood at attention throughout the ceremony.
• Call attention to: To point something out; to make people aware of something.
  • The report calls attention to the rising costs.
• Attention to detail: The careful noticing of all the small elements of something.
  • This craftwork shows remarkable attention to detail.

Related Idioms

• Attention deficit: (Often in "attention deficit disorder") A condition marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention.
• Lavish attentions on: To give someone a lot of affectionate or flattering care.
  • He lavished his attentions on the new guest.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a motionless erect stance with arms at the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review
   • the troops stood at attention
2. the faculty or power of mental concentration
   • keeping track of all the details requires your complete attention
3. a courteous act indicating affection
   • she tried to win his heart with her many attentions
4. a general interest that leads people to want to know more
   • She was the center of attention
5. the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
   • no medical care was required
   • the old car needs constant attention
6. the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

Từ đồng nghĩa

• care
• aid
• tending
• attending