open-eared

open-eared

She listened open-eared to the teacher's story.

Definition

Adjective: Describing a person who is attentive and receptive to listening, especially with a willingness to hear and consider what is being said.

Usage Examples
  • (She listens carefully and without bias.)
  • (Students were urged to listen attentively to each other.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to listen open-eared": to listen with full attention and receptiveness.
    • He listened open-eared to the speaker's every word. (He was completely focused and receptive.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Open-earedness (noun): the quality of being attentive and receptive in listening.
    • Her open-earedness made her a trusted confidante. (Her willingness to listen carefully earned trust.)
Synonyms
  • Attentive: paying close attention to what is being said.
  • Receptive: willing to consider or accept new ideas or suggestions.
  • Heedful: giving careful attention to what is heard.
Related Idioms
  • All ears: fully listening and paying attention.

    • When he began to explain the plan, we were all ears. (We listened very attentively.)
  • Lend an ear: to listen carefully and sympathetically.

    • She lent an ear to her friend's problems. (She listened with understanding and care.)