Hearken
Verb
- Pay attention; listen.
Example Sentences
“We hearkened to the storm warning and postponed our weekend at the beach.”
“Hearkening to the motel owner, we chose the local seafood restaurant for dinner.”
“He hearkened back to his high school days and bought the classic Mustang he always wanted.”
Word Origin
Old English, 16th century
Why this word?
“Hearken,” meaning “to listen,” comes from the Old English word “heorcnian,” which is also related to “hark” (which means “to listen with focused attention”). “Hark” appeared in the 12th century, but “hearken” didn’t show up until the 16th century, and lexicographers attribute the “ea” vowels to the association with “hear.” “Hearken” isn’t commonly used today, but there’s still some use of the phrasal verb “hearken back” as a synonym for “call to mind” or “remember.” For example, “The retro-infused music of Bruno Mars hearkens back to the golden days of soul, funk, and disco.”