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attention

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /əˈtɛnʃən/ · UK /əˈtenʃən/

attention means: The act of looking, listening, or thinking carefully about someone or something.

noun

MENTAL FOCUSA2

The act of looking, listening, or thinking carefully about someone or something.

  • Please pay attention.
  • The noise caught my attention.
  • He gave the teacher his full attention.

How to use it: pay attention to someone/something (Please pay attention to the instructions.); draw/attract someone’s attention to something (She drew my attention to a small mistake.)

Similar words: focus, concentration

Opposites: inattention

Common phrases: pay attention, attention to something, attract attention

MILITARY POSTUREB2

A straight standing position with feet together and arms at the sides, used by soldiers.

  • The guard stood at attention.
  • The soldiers came to attention at the command.
  • She remained at attention until the officer had passed.

How to use it: stand at attention (The soldiers stood at attention.); come to attention (The guards came to attention when the officer arrived.)

Common phrases: stand at attention, come to attention, at attention

Questions about attention

What does attention mean?

The act of looking, listening, or thinking carefully about someone or something.

What is attention in other languages?

Türkçe: dikkat · Español: atención · Français: attention · Deutsch: Aufmerksamkeit · Italiano: attenzione · 日本語: 注意

How do you pronounce attention?

In American English /əˈtɛnʃən/; in British English /əˈtenʃən/.

How do you use attention in a sentence?

Please pay attention. The noise caught my attention.

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